Dungeon Lasten, a C-rank stronghold carved into a cave behind a waterfall south of Partren, was gone. Known for its powerful fairy soldiers, it had long preyed on raid parties from the neighboring territories and had cemented its reputation with a B-rank Named Guardian. Among C-rank Dungeon Masters, Hyuntae had been one of the most powerful and influential, a king in his small pond.

And then, one day, his name vanished from the world map.

"What happened? Did Lasten actually get conquered?" one Dungeon Master wondered aloud in a private channel.

"Sebastian is gone, so there aren't any decent raiders left near Partren," another pointed out.

"Could it have been another Dungeon Master?"

"No way. The B-rankers and above couldn't care less, and they're too far away. Besides, he was the top dog among the C-ranks. Impossible."

A wave of bewilderment and fear washed over the Dungeon Masters of the western region. With Lasten's sudden disappearance, a palpable terror began to spread—a fear that they could be next.

Then, a new name appeared in Lasten's former location: Balak.

"N-no way… That rookie Dungeon Master?!"

"This can't be happening! Hyuntae was the undisputed number one! No one in C-rank could touch him!"

"This is bad. He might target us, too. That bastard is dead serious!"

Taehyun's first act of predation sent them scrambling. One wrong move, one glance in their direction, and they could be the next to be devoured. A tense silence fell over the C-rank and D-rank Dungeon Masters.

---

"This week's Raider Association newsletter!" a boy shouted, hawking papers on a bustling street. Raiders across the city snatched them up, eager for the latest news.

"Another week, another mountain of incidents."

"Wow, looks like a new B-rank raider appeared."

"H-hey, look at this."

Among the various headlines, one stood out: [The Fall of Lasten, Southern Partren's Longstanding Nuisance. Whose Work Could It Be?]

Lasten was infamous—a C-rank dungeon officially listed as unconquerable, a graveyard for countless raiders thanks to its powerful fairy folk and formidable Guardian. For such a place to fall so suddenly was unbelievable.

Amid the growing clamor, a man accepted a newsletter. A slow smile spread across his lips as he read the headline. "So this is why that bastard wanted information," he murmured. "Devour before being devoured. Just like him."

The paper crumpled in his fist. He tossed it to the side of the street and vanished into the crowd.

---

"Well, he went and made a big move before we could even show our strength," a voice crackled through a communication device.

"So it seems," Seonghwi replied. "He's an incredible talent, just as you said. We absolutely must recruit him."

When he had first made the offer, he'd had his doubts. Taehyun had subdued Sebastian, yes, but no one knew the details. Sebastian could have been at a disadvantage, or he might have simply been toying with his opponent. It was possible Taehyun had just gotten lucky. But the fall of Lasten was undeniable proof. Taehyun was the real deal. At this rate, becoming a B-rank dungeon was not a distant dream.

[An A-rank raid party has appeared from within Moria Temple.]

"Damn," Seonghwi muttered. "I have to go. Looks like someone troublesome has shown up."

"Ah, that hero-wannabe?" the voice on the other end said. "Must be annoying. Good luck with that."

"Yeah." Seonghwi ended the communication and strode out of the Master's room. In the final chamber, his Guardians and Keepers had already assembled.

"Master, that guy's here again," one Guardian complained. "This is so annoying. Why does he keep causing a ruckus?"

"Well, you could see it as a form of affection," another Guardian mused.

"Eliminate. Eliminate. Eliminate," a Keeper intoned.

The three chatted leisurely. Seonghwi snorted and checked the screen. The raid party had already passed through Moria Temple and was at his dungeon's entrance.

"How tedious. You all stay here."

"Oh? Going alone?"

"No. I'm going with Cowell."

At the mention of the name, a figure emerged from Seonghwi's own shadow. He had rough features, fiery red hair, a scar under one eye, and a katana in each hand—the perfect image of an assassin.

"A hunt already, Seonghwi?" Cowell asked.

"Hardly a hunt. It'll just end in another stalemate."

"How boring," Cowell sighed, shaking his head. They had fought this raid party countless times. The battles were always fierce, but never decisive. They were becoming a chronic annoyance. "To drag an A-rank Hero mercenary like me into such a hassle. That guy is one irritating bastard."

"Stop talking and get ready," Seonghwi said. "We're leaving now."

"Yeah, yeah."

Armed and ready, Seonghwi and Cowell stepped onto the teleportation circle and instantly appeared at the dungeon entrance. The approaching raid party quickly fell back.

"It's been a while, Yuda," Seonghwi said calmly. "Have you come to bother me again?"

"Of course," the raid leader retorted. "You're one of the most dangerous A-rank dungeons out there. It's my job to bother you."

"Your logic is as nonsensical as ever." Realizing conversation was pointless, Seonghwi drew his greatsword. Yuda mirrored the action, and his party fell into a combat stance. A moment later, Cowell appeared behind them, and the battle erupted.

The clang of steel on steel rang out.

"Cowell," a woman named Bency purred. "I'm so happy to see you, I could die."

"I'm so annoyed I could die, Bency," Cowell shot back.

"Don't be like that. Enjoy it, eh?" Bency cast her skills, and the ground began to tremble as massive vines erupted from the earth. Cowell sliced through them effortlessly, holding his position.

At the front, Seonghwi and Yuda were locked in a furious exchange.

"You have no pride," Seonghwi taunted, "always bringing dozens of raiders to harass me."

"And yet you're still holding your own against all of them," Yuda grunted.

"That's true." Even now, a storm of buffs, heals, and ranged attacks poured in from the raiders in the back, while melee fighters pressed him from both sides. Amidst it all, Seonghwi casually parried Yuda's blows, a picture of deadly calm. He was an astonishingly skilled fighter.

"It's rare for a Dungeon Master to fight on the front lines like this," Yuda yelled. "Especially against me, Yuda!"

Sparks flew as his sword soared, magical power warping the air around it. A crater formed in the ground. Not to be outdone, Seonghwi unleashed his own skill, and the surrounding landscape was torn asunder.

---

[The C-rank Dungeon Lasten is being transferred to Sir Taehyun's ownership.]

[The dungeon name Lasten will be removed.]

[Please set a new dungeon name.]

As Hyuntae died, the light from the Crystal Sphere faded. The masterless dungeon was ready to accept a new one.

"It will be Balak," Taehyun declared.

[The name of the C-rank Dungeon Lasten has been changed to Balak.]

[It will be integrated with the existing Dungeon Balak.]

[From now on, you will operate two separate dungeons.]

[All authority is transferred to player Taehyun Yoo.]

[You can now move freely between the first Balak and the second Balak.]

With that, Balak was now two. He had to manage both simultaneously. Taehyun immediately examined the status of his new acquisition.

[Dungeon Name: Balak (2)]

[Master: Taehyun Yoo]

[Rank: C (Stage 4)]

[Location: Southern Astral Continent. Cave inside the Riel Valley waterfall.]

[Supporter: None]

[Guardian and Keeper: None]

[Soldiers: None]

[Traps: Corrupted Pond x 2, Neplanci's Vine x 3, Mana Nullification Trap x 2, Hidden Tentacle x 7, Binding Net x 3, Fairy's Sleeping Powder x 3, Death Platform x 4]

[Installed Facilities: Jar of Greed x 2, Fairy's Wing x 2, Low-grade Mana Turret x 4, Ghastly Corpse x 2, Dried Lake, Dingy Box x 4, Sticky Tentacle x 15]

[Modification Status: Hallway Variation (Stage 3), Hallway Width Variation (Stage 2), Room Size Expansion (Stage 3), Fairy World Environment (Stage 2), Hallway Remodeling (Stage 2), Hallway Alteration (Stage 3)]

[Rooms: 12]

[Dungeon Status: Lacking soldiers and a supporter, immediate summoning is required. Traps and installations tailored to the fairy world environment exhibit powerful effects. The rooms and hallways are in a state of proper harmony.]

The troops were gone, but the dungeon itself was intact. In fact, its traps, installations, and modifications were superior to the original Balak. 'The Crystal Sphere is at stage four. He must have been preparing to rank up to B. By the way, what are these tentacles?' The list included several tentacle-based traps and facilities, likely purchased to satisfy Hyuntae's personal perversions. Taehyun closed the window with a disgusted frown. He hated the tentacles, but there was nothing to be done for now.

"Master," Riel said softly. "I feel a presence below us."

"Below the final room? A dungeon prison?"

"I believe so."

Just as she said, a faint sound drifted up from beneath the floor. Taehyun descended to investigate. The sight that greeted him in the prison was a gallery of horrors. Naked female NPCs, a brutally tortured man, a little girl with dead eyes—a wide variety of victims were locked away, all mentally broken and physically ravaged.

Taehyun turned away, unable to look. "Give them as peaceful an end as possible," he ordered Riel.

"Understood."

"I'll be upstairs."

As goblins joined Riel, Taehyun returned to the Crystal Sphere chamber. The images from the prison churned in his stomach. He fought back the urge to vomit and opened the system shop. 'First, I need a Supporter.' With two dungeons, he could now have two. He purchased a Random Supporter Summon Card and used it near the sphere.

[You have used a Random Supporter Summon Card.]

[A summoning circle is being generated.]

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

The circle flared to life, and a figure materialized within it.

[Success!]

[A C-rank Named Supporter, 'Kinjo of Schemes,' has been summoned.]

His luck seemed to have run out; it was only a C-rank. The summon was a variant goblin with a long, pointed nose. Just like Riel had been at first, he was motionless.

"T-this is that bastard Hyuntae's Supporter!" Taehyun exclaimed, shocked. The goblin was identical to the corpse he had seen behind the Crystal Sphere. The Supporter who had killed himself had been summoned again.

At the sound of Taehyun's voice, the goblin's eyes fluttered open.

"Wh-where am I?" Kinjo asked, bewildered by the familiar surroundings. He clearly remembered everything up to his death.

Taehyun composed himself. "Lasten. Or rather, Balak now. My second dungeon. Do you know who I am?"

"…I have never seen you in person," Kinjo replied slowly. "But your presence here must mean you are the Dungeon Master of Balak."

"That's right. From now on, you will be my second Supporter, and you will manage this place. Swear your loyalty to me. I am not a fool like Hyuntae." Taehyun offered his hand.

Kinjo hesitated for a moment, then let out a deep sigh and took it. "As I have been summoned a Supporter, I am bound to you regardless of any oath. I will do my utmost for you from now on, Master."

And just like that, he had his second Supporter.

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