[High Evil Goblin (Elite Soldier)]

[Rank: C]

[Level: 41]

[Class: Scout]

[Title: None]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 84]

[Affinity: 61]

[Obedience: 75]

[Skills: Focused Fire, Agile Movement, Track Traces, Wide Field of Vision]

[Special Ability: None]

[Strength: 6] [Endurance: 4] [Agility: 18] [Stamina: 5]

[Mana: 3] [Divinity: 1] [Affinity: 12] [Luck: 10]

Their stats had definitely improved with the rank-up. If their sub-rank increased, they might even gain a special ability.

'I can't believe there's an evolution system,' Taehyun thought, impressed. 'Training them with Grai was the right call.' It was the first time he'd seen it happen. He had assumed his soldiers' ranks were fixed upon summoning, but this proved they could grow. The constant training must have triggered it. He looked at the much more formidable goblins with satisfaction.

'This proves their ranks aren't static. Goblins are incredibly effective for scouting and ambushes. If I keep evolving them, they'll be able to keep up with my higher-ranked units.' The other Dungeon Masters must have known about this. The fact that no one mentioned it at the meeting meant it was a closely guarded secret.

"Master Taehyun is happy, so we are happy too, yes, we are! Kieh!"

"Kieh! We've become even more evil!"

"Kiekie! My body is overflowing with power!"

The newly evolved goblins were beaming, their joy infectious. Taehyun sighed and shook his head.

"To think I'd end up with a hundred Kinjos."

"…Master Taehyun," Riel whispered, "they'll be disappointed if they hear that."

---

Taehyun distributed some of the new equipment to his soldiers and proceeded to the sixth floor. On the previous difficulty, this floor had been guarded by an Intermediate Shivera. Since they had appeared from the very beginning on Normal, he knew a much stronger spirit awaited them.

[You have reached the 6th floor of the Ice Palace.]

[The spirits guarding the 6th floor have been summoned.]

As if to prove his point, the spirit that emerged from the summoning circle had a distinctly humanoid form.

"To have come this far… not bad," the spirit, Seira, said with a dismissive sneer. "But you're no match for me."

[High Ice Spirit Seira has used Frost Storm.]

[An AoE skill is spreading throughout the 6th floor.]

She unleashed a storm of ice, far more powerful than the Frost Crystal attack. Under the protection of Riel's buff, Taehyun endured the blizzard and issued his orders.

"Shieldbearers, form a perimeter and raise your shields!"

[Command skill is activated.]

[The soldiers' reaction speed steadily increases.]

[The effect of the Affinity skill is activated.]

[The soldiers begin to understand Master Taehyun's commands slightly faster.]

His leveled-up skills allowed for more complex, systematic commands. The shieldbearers moved in perfect sync, forming a protective circle that blunted the force of the AoE attack. Seira laughed at the soldiers cowering behind their shields, but Taehyun calmly waited for the storm to pass.

Suddenly, two of his minotaurs broke formation.

"Moooooo! I can't take it anymore!"

"I can't just stand here and block! Moo! I need to see blood! Moo!"

[Two High-Grade Shieldbearer Minotaurs are beginning to go berserk.]

It was the same berserk state that had caused him so much trouble before. Their eyes turned bloodshot as they prepared to charge Seira.

"Do these cow-heads have a grudge against the sixth floor or something?" Taehyun muttered in exasperation. "They pulled this same stunt last time. Hah. Grai!"

"Should I kill them?" Grai asked, his hand on his sword.

"Just knock some sense into them!"

Grai nodded and blurred into motion. The minotaurs, lost in their rage, turned on their own ally, raising their axes.

"Moooooo! I never liked you bossing me around every day!"

"That's right! Mooo!"

"Then I'll give you a special training session you won't forget," Grai growled, striking them with the flat of his blade.

"Master Taehyun, isn't that a bit dangerous in this situation?" Riel asked, concerned.

"If they don't listen, a beating is the only cure," Taehyun replied, pointing. "Look. They're coming to their senses."

The red haze faded from the minotaurs' eyes. They looked around, confused, with no memory of what had just happened.

"Moooooo?"

"Moo?"

"You cow-headed bastards, get back in formation!" Taehyun roared. They scrambled back into line.

---

[High Ice Spirit Seira's Frost Storm has ended.]

[The Frost Storm that enveloped the 6th floor disappears.]

Once the storm subsided, the battle became much easier. The newly evolved Evil Goblins were particularly effective.

"Kiek! Quick reload, yes it is!"

"That spirit wench threatened Master Taehyun! Die! Kiek!"

"Kieeeek! Balak is great!"

The Evil Goblins, now a higher rank in their respective classes, put immense pressure on Seira, turning the tide of the battle in their favor. Taehyun rotated his shieldbearers, efficiently tanking Seira's attacks.

"Y-You!" she shrieked.

[High Ice Spirit Seira has used Crystal Cutter.]

[Balak's shieldbearers have efficiently blocked the Crystal Cutter.]

[Shield Durability -8%]

Cornered, Seira began to fight with frantic desperation. Grai and Mederia attacked from opposite flanks, constantly diverting her attention and creating openings for the other soldiers.

"Aaaargh! I can't take it anymore! Eat this!" Mandra suddenly yelled, darting out from behind the shieldbearers and conjuring a wall of fire.

"Eeeek! H-How am I taking damage from fire!" Seira screamed as the flames licked at her icy form.

"Hmph! Who do you think you're messing with, you mere ice spirit!" Mandra taunted.

"Grrr! You damn fairy wench!" Seething, Seira launched a crystal sword at her. Alone and unprotected, Mandra threw up another wall of fire just in time to block the attack.

'As expected of a Named unit,' Taehyun noted. 'Her fire attribute works even on a High Ice Spirit.' She was holding her own, but it was reckless. One wrong move and he could lose a valuable Named soldier. He gave a subtle gesture to Mederia.

Breaking off her barrage of magic bullets, Mederia spotted Mandra, and her eyes widened in fury. "Mandraaaaaa!"

"Ahh! Lady Mederia!"

"Get over here, now!" With a powerful flap of her wings, Mederia swooped in, snatched the smaller fairy, and dragged her back to the rear.

'She needs a beating too,' Taehyun thought, shaking his head. Her firepower was impressive, but her personality was a liability. Her temperament was as volatile as her magic. If she kept acting on her own, he would have to do something about it. He was planning to make a decision soon.

"Kiyaaaaaak!"

[High Ice Spirit Seira has returned to the embrace of nature.]

[You have cleared the 6th floor of the Ice Palace.]

[You have acquired 450,000 Zen as a reward.]

[The experience of all units has increased by 1000.]

With Seira finally defeated, Taehyun let out a sigh of relief. Between the berserking minotaurs and Mandra's solo act, the situation had been dangerously close to falling apart. He wearily collected the loot.

[C-rank Mana Stone × 70]

[B-rank Mana Stone × 2]

[C-rank Spirit Stone Fragment × 15]

[Seira's Crystal Sword]

[Seira's Gauntlets]

[Seira's Staff]

[Trace of Intense Cold × 2]

[350,000 Zen]

It was a satisfying haul. Not only had he acquired B-rank magic stones, but also rare-grade equipment.

'By the way, Trace of Intense Cold. What is this?' He'd been collecting the material since the lower floors. The description was too vague to be useful, but he made a mental note to investigate it later. He examined the equipment first.

[Seira's Crystal Sword]

[Rank: B]

[Restriction: Level 40+, Warrior and Knight classes]

[Description: A rare-grade item. The crystal sword used by Seira herself is incredibly hard and does not break easily.]

The sword was a melee weapon. As the description claimed, it looked exceptionally durable.

"Grai, what do you think?"

"Hmm. It looks decent. Let me test it."

"Go ahead."

Grai, being B-rank, took the sword and gave it a few experimental swings before shaking his head. "It doesn't suit my style. It handles more like a greatsword. That fellow Rexner would probably make better use of it."

"Hmm. Alright." It made sense. Grai was accustomed to his dual blades; a heavy greatsword wouldn't fit his fighting style. Taehyun stored the sword in his inventory.

'It'll be useful eventually. That is, if I can get that guy to join Balak.' He was still trying to figure out how to persuade Rexner, the raider currently languishing in his prison. If he could be swayed, he would be an immense asset against other Dungeon Masters.

[Seira's Gauntlets]

[Rank: B]

[Restriction: Level 40+, all classes]

[Description: A rare-grade item. Imbued with Seira's energy, these gauntlets have a chance to enchant a weapon with the frost attribute.]

Next were the gauntlets. The frost enchantment was an excellent effect. After a moment's thought, he handed them to Mederia.

"Are you giving these to me?" she asked, her eyes wide.

"Yeah. From now on, you wear them. The frost attribute should make your magic bullets even more powerful."

"Thank you, Master Taehyun."

[B-rank Named Guardian, Mana Bullet Marksman Mederia, feels gratitude towards her master for the new equipment.]

[Affinity increases by 2.]

She bowed demurely and equipped the gauntlets, looking pleased to receive a second gift from him.

[Seira's Staff]

[Rank: B]

[Restriction: Level 40+, Cleric and Mage classes]

[Description: A rare-grade item. Imbued with Seira's energy, this staff increases divinity by 2%.]

Finally, the staff. There was no question who this was for. He handed it to Riel without hesitation.

"Master Taehyun, thank you, as always," she said, her voice warm. "I'll gladly accept this."

"Uh, yeah."

"Doesn't it suit me well?" she asked, striking a small pose.

[B-rank Named Supporter, Riel of Healing, feels affection for her master who gave her new equipment.]

[Affinity increases by 1.]

[Obedience increases by 1.]

Her reaction was completely different from the first time he'd given her equipment. It must have been a change that occurred after her affinity surpassed 70. Her intense, adoring gaze made him break into a cold sweat.

"…It suits you. You look pretty," he managed to say.

"Thank you, Master Taehyun. Come here."

"Why?"

"You'll see." She beckoned him closer. He scratched his head and took a hesitant step forward.

'Mwah!'

Her lips pressed against his cheek, and the sudden, intimate gesture made his face flush. He stumbled back, flustered.

"I'll continue to work hard for you, Master Taehyun," Riel said, smiling bashfully as she bowed her head.

''When her affinity gets this high, does she really get this happy over such a small thing?'' This was the same woman who had casually offered to attend to him at night, who had claimed to be fine with being anything from a slave to a plaything. Now, a simple peck on the cheek seemed to make her ecstatic.

"Our master is popular! Mooo!"

"Kiek! I'm so jealous, yes I am!"

"Oh my, look at that. I wonder if those two are an item."

The soldiers' cheers and whispers only made him more embarrassed.

"Tch. I don't like this," Mandra muttered under her breath.

Amidst the commotion, Taehyun watched Riel walk away, his own expression unreadable.

'I'm sorry,' he thought, a chilling coldness settling over him, 'but if it comes to it, I might have to abandon you too. That's what this dungeon has made me.'

His face hardened, becoming as impassive and cold as the palace walls around them.

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