The Holy Kingdom invasion ended in failure. With few exceptions, the Dungeon Masters assigned to Partisan were annihilated. Rewards based on Contribution Points were delivered to their respective dungeons, and with the help of the Resistance, Taehyun returned to Balak.

[Contribution Points: 140,000]

[Dungeon Master Taehyun Yoo is ranked 677th.]

[The reward based on your Contribution Points has arrived in the Dungeon Master Room.]

"Phew. Feels like I've been gone for years," Taehyun said, stretching.

"I'm so glad you're safe, Master," Riel replied, her relief palpable.

"Were there any problems while I was gone, Riel?"

"No. The raiders couldn't attack because of the dungeon protection period anyway."

As she said, the raiders had likely taken a forced vacation. Taehyun went to the Dungeon Master Room to check his reward.

[Random Reward Box]

[Rank: ?]

[Restriction: Achieved 100,000 Contribution Points or more]

[Description: A gift from Duke Nikunbel for those who achieved over 100,000 Contribution Points in the Holy Kingdom Invasion.]

'Well, I should be grateful for this much,' he thought. As the minimum reward, it was unlikely to be anything spectacular. Still, it was surprisingly decent. 'Leave it to luck, huh? That bastard Nikunbel. Pissing me off to the very end.'

Taehyun's face scrunched in annoyance as he opened the box.

[You have opened the Random Reward Box.]

[You have obtained a C-rank Labyrinth's Crystal Sphere from the Random Reward Box.]

Inside the box was a palm-sized crystal sphere glowing with a faint blue light. 'What's this? Another dungeon-related item?' It looked like a miniature version of the crystal sphere in his final room. He checked its information.

[Labyrinth's Crystal Sphere]

[Rank: C]

[Restriction: B-rank or higher Dungeon Master]

[Description: Can transform a region of land owned by the Dungeon Master into a labyrinth dungeon.]

It was an item that could turn one of his territories into a dungeon.

"Is that not a Dungeonization Crystal Sphere?" Kinjo gasped, his eyes wide. "Where did you acquire such a thing, Master Taehyun?"

"…It came from the random reward box."

"Muahaha! As expected, your luck is incredible! The Dungeonization Crystal Sphere is a rare and coveted item, even among Dungeon Masters."

Kinjo was right. The item was traded among masters, but its extreme rarity meant it often sold for an exorbitant amount of Zen. Kinjo, who had been waiting in the room, stared at the sphere with unconcealed desire.

Taehyun studied the crystal in his hand. It had arrived at an opportune moment, but he was conflicted. 'If I install this, I'll have three dungeons. Kinjo is managing the second Balak just fine, but can I handle a third?'

A new dungeon meant he could summon additional Supporters, Guardians, and Keepers. But he wasn't sure he could manage it alongside the first Balak right now. As he pondered, an idea struck him. 'Come to think of it, most raiders avoid the Balak Fortress. I'm using it as an outpost for ambushes, but I could still do that even if I turn it into a dungeon, couldn't I?'

The fortress was the most likely candidate. For now, he stored the crystal sphere and headed to the final room.

"What brings you here?" Kinjo asked eagerly.

"He must have a purpose," Riel said coolly. "Don't be needlessly curious."

"I-I am also a Supporter! Of course I am curious!"

"Don't forget that I am the 'first' Supporter," Riel retorted. "Master Taehyun, what brings you here?"

The two were now competing over who got to ask him questions. Taehyun gave them a weary look before taking out a handful of C-rank magic stones.

"Watch closely," he said, his voice low and serious. "This is the moment Balak evolves into a B-rank dungeon."

He had to survive. He had to thrive in the coming competition against the Resistance, Mihye's faction, and every other Dungeon Master. The raid parties he would face would be on a completely different level. Thinking of Seonghwi, a smirk touched his lips.

'I'll grow strong, just as you wished. Look forward to it.'

The magic stones in his hand pulsed with light before being absorbed into Balak's crystal sphere.

---

"What's going on?"

The ground was shaking. Or rather, the entirety of Balak was vibrating. Larkan, who had been assigned a room in the dungeon, sensed that something was wrong. He rushed outside, but the tremors were just as strong.

"Kieek! The-the dungeon is shaking!" a goblin shrieked.

"It's dizzying! Moo!" a minotaur bellowed.

"Ahhh! It's shaking, it's shaking!"

Chaos erupted among the soldiers. Larkan frowned, his gaze sweeping up to the cavern ceiling. 'Is it evolving?' The interior of the entire dungeon was visibly expanding. This was the first time he had experienced a dungeon rank-up since his arrival.

---

[C-rank Dungeon Balak's rank has increased.]

[A tremendous surge of mana!]

[All of Balak is trembling.]

[Great Success!]

[B-rank Dungeon Balak has undergone a tremendous evolution.]

The unexpected tremors and visual effects gradually subsided. He hadn't experienced anything like this when ranking up to C-rank. Taehyun stared in disbelief at the massive crystal sphere before him. It was several times larger than it had been just moments ago.

"A-amazing!" Kinjo stammered. "This is a miracle!"

"My goodness! To think Balak has evolved so much… I can't believe it," Riel whispered in awe.

They were right to be astonished. Taehyun's own jaw was hanging open. 'What just happened? I wasn't expecting this. The dungeon didn't just level up, it power-leveled!'

In game terms, it was like gaining dozens of levels at once. The final room alone had expanded to several times its previous size.

"M-Master Taehyun! The underground prison has also grown several times larger!" Kinjo reported breathlessly.

"It's the same for all the rooms with the forest environment!" Riel added.

The two Supporters rapidly reported the changes. Taehyun numbly returned to the Dungeon Master's room and checked the monitor. 'What the hell is this? A jungle?' The rooms with the forest environment had transformed into dense, Amazon-like rainforests. Dumbfounded, he pulled up the dungeon information.

[Dungeon Name: Balak]

[Master: Taehyun Yoo]

[Rank: B]

[Location: Western frontier of the Astral Continent. A cave deep within the Valley of Silence.]

[Supporter: Riel of Healing (B), Kinjo of Strategy (C)]

[Boss: Elite High Troll, Elite High Wyvern]

[Mercenary: None]

[Guardian and Keeper: Orc Swordsman Grai, Mana Bullet Marksman Mederia]

[Soldiers: High Orc, High Lizardman, High Fenrir, High Goblin, High Imp, High Wild Dog, Highest Minotaur, Villagers, Larkan, High Fairy, Intermediate Direct Fairy, Named Flame Fairy Mandra]

[Monsters: High Orc, High Lizardman, High Fenrir, High Goblin, High Imp, High Wild Dog, Highest Minotaur, High Fairy, Intermediate Direct Fairy, Named Flame Fairy Mandra]

[Servants and Maids: Dallas Villagers]

[Traps: Sticky Trap, Hunting Trap, Arrow Trap, Deep Pit, Mana Blocking Trap, Rolling Stones, Wall Spikes, Binding Net]

[Installations: Abyss Flower Landrozel, Madria's Bookshelf, Ghastly Spider Egg, Glittering Sack, Thick Chest, Low-grade Mana Turret]

[Modifications: Corridor Change (Stage 5), Room Position Change (Stage 3), Corridor Length Change (Stage 4), Room Size Expansion (Stage 7), Forest Environment (Stage 3), Corridor Modification (Stage 5), Corridor Size Expansion (Stage 6), Dungeon Scale Expansion (Stage 4)]

[Rooms: 19]

[Dungeon Status: Upon rising to B-rank, Balak has undergone a tremendous evolution. The entire scale of the dungeon has grown, and its interior has expanded accordingly. It still possesses soldiers, traps, and installations that are not befitting of a B-rank dungeon. The two Supporters and two Guardians are its only hope. Due to this evolution, all modification statuses have been automatically upgraded. Balak's crystal sphere now holds a tremendous level of Mana, and it would not be an exaggeration to say the dungeon itself is alive and breathing.]

'That's crazy!'

Even the normally composed Taehyun was stunned. This wasn't a simple rank-up; the dungeon itself had grown, evolved. 'The modifications, the number of rooms, and the overall status have all changed. The detailed troop counts are gone, but I can check them separately now.'

The specifics of Balak's forces could now be viewed in a separate window, likely a change made to accommodate the increased population. 'Considering other B-rank dungeons are stuck at stage 3 or 4, Balak's modification levels are incredibly high. But if this continues, it will become unmanageable.'

The dungeon's evolution was more than welcome. It would make defending against raiders easier and significantly increase his influence. However, with his Zen income still unsatisfactory, a B-rank dungeon of this scale would be incredibly difficult to manage and maintain.

"Should I be happy about this or not?" he wondered aloud.

"Muahaha! Regardless, you are now a B-rank Dungeon Master, Master Taehyun! Congratulations!" Kinjo cackled.

"That's right," Riel agreed. "You can worry later. For now, you should be happy."

And just like that, Taehyun became a B-rank Dungeon Master.

---

[Balak's Crystal Sphere]

[Rank: B]

[Level: 1]

[Mana: 430/430]

[Upgrade: Stage 1]

'The Mana has nearly doubled.' The interior of Balak was now suffused with magic, emitting a faint blue aura as if it were a living, breathing entity.

[Soldier Population: 643/2000]

The population cap had skyrocketed to two thousand. Furthermore, he could now summon one more Guardian or Keeper, guaranteeing a significant boost to his military strength.

"The dungeon evolved the moment I arrived," Larkan noted, having stopped by the Dungeon Master Room. He was studying the interior monitor with the same concern Taehyun felt. "Are you sure you can handle this?"

"Honestly, not right now," Taehyun admitted. "Even with Balak this evolved, I won't be able to utilize it to its full potential. For now, I have to focus on management and increasing my Zen income."

"In that case, you'll only be dealing with raiders until the dungeon stabilizes."

"I'll attempt the next difficulty of the Ice Palace when the situation allows, so don't worry. By the way, how do you find Balak?"

"I don't feel much of anything," Larkan said dismissively. "I'm merely curious to see how strong you can become. If my expectations are proven wrong, I intend to leave without hesitation."

As expected, Larkan maintained his rebellious attitude. Though he had told Taehyun to use him, he would leave if the results weren't satisfactory. Taehyun, having anticipated this, simply nodded.

"Do as you please. I won't be giving you any impossible orders. Just cooperate."

"That goes without saying. As long as I am affiliated with Balak, I will do my best to assist you."

"A prince doesn't need to 'assist' anyone. Just helping out is enough."

With that, their conversation ended. After Larkan left, Taehyun checked his information one more time.

[Larkan Yngwe]

[Rank: C (Named)]

[Level: 19]

[Class: Alchemist]

[Title: Unfortunate Prince]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 14]

[Favorability: 20]

[Obedience: 12]

[Skills: Synthesis, Potion Crafting]

[Special Ability: Transmutation Circle]

[Strength: 1] [Endurance: 1] [Agility: 1] [Stamina: 1]

[Mana: 9] [Divinity: 1] [Affinity: 7] [Luck: 5]

'Larkan can craft intermediate-level potions and create new items and equipment through synthesis. More importantly, his special ability, Transmutation Circle, can create entire buildings as long as he has the necessary materials.'

Larkan was the technician Balak desperately needed. Now, he could not only produce his own potions but also construct buildings throughout his territory. 'If the villagers help, we can build even faster.' He no longer had to buy buildings and installations from the shop, though he would still need to acquire materials for the Transmutation Circle.

'Alright. Next up is this Labyrinth's Crystal Sphere.'

Taehyun retrieved the crystal from his inventory. He had initially planned to hold off on installing it, but now he had changed his mind. He would add the labyrinth dungeon and use it to boost his Zen income.

'Raiders will pour in endlessly. The small city of Partren may be unconquerable, but other places aren't. If they bypass the labyrinth, they'll face Balak. If they enter it, they'll die.'

A grin spread across his face as he made his way to the fortress.

---

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