[You have been defeated in the battle against Balak.]

All his soldiers were dead. Five B-rank soldiers, over three hundred C-rank soldiers, and even the Guardian he'd spent a fortune in Zen to summon. His dungeon's military strength was at zero. Well, not quite zero, but he had nowhere near enough forces left to fend off a raid party.

"Damn it! Why isn't he answering? Pick up! Pick up!" C-rank Dungeon Master Taesik Kim roared, violently hurling his communication device against the wall. Gyeonghun wasn't answering.

"That son of a bitch! He played leader, dragged all the Dungeon Masters into this mess, and now he's just run off to save his own skin?"

Gyeonghun had organized the meeting. Gyeonghun had proposed the alliance. As its leader, he had ordered everyone to commit their entire armies. But the moment Balak was revealed to be B-rank, it all went to hell. They had assumed that even a top-ranked C-rank dungeon would be manageable, and they had been brutally blindsided.

"Wh-what do I do? Should I run, too? Do I have to start all over again from D-rank?" His only option was to grab his Crystal Sphere and hope for a fresh start, but the thought of abandoning the dungeon he had poured so much into was agonizing.

"Master Taesik, please calm down."

"Calm?! How the hell am I supposed to be calm?! We're talking about a B-rank dungeon! We thought it was C-rank, but it was B-rank all along! That bastard is definitely out for blood, targeting every last one of us in the alliance. We have to run, now!"

His dungeon was already vulnerable to any passing raid party. If Taehyun was actively hunting him, his destruction was only a matter of time. Taesik shoved his Supporter aside and lunged for his Crystal Sphere. At that exact moment, a crimson message flared to life before his eyes.

[Balak's soldiers have appeared from the Swamp of Pain.]

It was Balak's army. Taesik stared at his monitor in disbelief. Soldiers bearing Balak's insignia were already storming the entrance of his dungeon, Mont Blanc.

"H-how did they find me so fast?! I never told anyone my location, not even at the meeting!"

"Aaah! Master Taesik! Our remaining soldiers are being slaughtered by Balak's forces!"

"I-I'm doomed! Aaaaaaaah!"

---

One by one, the dungeon icons on the World Map winked out of existence. On the monitors, the interiors of those dungeons were being systematically purged by Balak's soldiers.

'I won't miss a single one of you bastards.'

He had already secured the locations of all the C-rank dungeons, courtesy of Junhyun's information. It was only natural that his soldiers, dispatched in advance, would arrive sooner than expected. Taehyun watched with grim satisfaction as the C-rank Dungeon Masters were extinguished. With this, the anti-Balak alliance was utterly annihilated.

[You have achieved a perfect victory in the battle against the anti-Balak alliance.]

[Battle Victory Rank: A]

[You have acquired 5,000,000 Zen as an A-rank battle victory bonus.]

[The experience of Balak's soldiers increases by 7,000.]

[The combat experience of the Goblins has greatly increased.]

[The combat experience of the Imps has greatly increased.]

[The combat experience of the Lizardmen has greatly increased.]

[The combat experience of the Fenrirs has greatly increased.]

[The combat experience of the Wild Dogs has greatly increased.]

[The combat experience of the Minotaurs has greatly increased.]

[The combat experience of the Orcs has greatly increased.]

[The combat experience of the Trolls has greatly increased.]

[The combat experience of the Wyverns has greatly increased.]

[The combat experience of the Catapult Drake (Modified) has greatly increased.]

[The combat experience of the Werewolves has greatly increased.]

[The combat experience of the Centaurs has greatly increased.]

[The combat experience of the Gargoyles has greatly increased.]

[The combat experience of the Harpies has greatly increased.]

[The Loyalty of Balak's soldiers increases by 2.]

[The Obedience of Balak's soldiers increases by 2.]

[You have acquired 17 C-rank Dungeon Master corpses.]

[You have acquired 2,835,124 Zen from the corpses of the C-rank Dungeon Masters.]

[You have obtained all equipment and items from the corpses of the anti-Balak alliance's soldiers.]

Finally, the messages confirming the end of the battle appeared. 'One seems to be missing. Since the system is calling it a victory, he must have committed suicide.'

And just like that, everyone who had dared to bare their fangs at him had been eliminated. He had secured his victory rewards and announced to the entire continent that Balak was now B-rank. All that remained was to proceed with his original plan.

[Balak's soldiers have been recalled.]

[Orc Swordsman Grai and the Ambush Unit have returned to Balak.]

Taehyun reviewed the status of his recalled soldiers, paying special attention to the new additions.

[Werewolf (Elite Soldier)]

[Rank: B]

[Level: 32]

[Class: Warrior]

[Title: None]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 63]

[Affinity: 30]

[Obedience: 59]

[Skills: Claw Slash, Prey Tracking, Bite]

[Special Ability: None]

[Strength: 7] [Endurance: 3] [Agility: 13] [Stamina: 6]

[Mana: 1] [Divinity: 1] [Affinity: 4] [Luck: 6]

[Centaur (Elite Soldier)]

[Rank: B]

[Level: 33]

[Class: Archer]

[Title: None]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 61]

[Affinity: 33]

[Obedience: 60]

[Skills: Rapid Fire, Moving Shot, Backstep]

[Special Ability: None]

[Strength: 3] [Endurance: 2] [Agility: 12] [Stamina: 3]

[Mana: 2] [Divinity: 1] [Affinity: 7] [Luck: 8]

[Gargoyle (Elite Soldier)]

[Rank: B]

[Level: 36]

[Class: Lancer]

[Title: None]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 65]

[Affinity: 31]

[Obedience: 59]

[Skills: Spear Thrust, Consecutive Stab, Charge]

[Special Ability: None]

[Strength: 9] [Endurance: 5] [Agility: 7] [Stamina: 5]

[Mana: 1] [Divinity: 1] [Affinity: 3] [Luck: 6]

[Harpy (Elite Soldier)]

[Rank: B]

[Level: 33]

[Class: Infiltrator]

[Title: None]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 67]

[Affinity: 33]

[Obedience: 58]

[Skills: Snatch, Dive, Focused Vision]

[Special Ability: None]

[Strength: 4] [Endurance: 2] [Agility: 11] [Stamina: 4]

[Mana: 4] [Divinity: 1] [Affinity: 7] [Luck: 5]

As befitting their B-rank status, they all possessed decent stats. With their levels and equipment brought up to standard, they were ready to be deployed according to their classes. He had invested nearly half of his accumulated Zen, but it was worth every bit. His B-rank forces now numbered around two hundred. He still hadn't reached the full population capacity of the evolved Balak, but he had finally assembled an army worthy of a B-rank dungeon.

'They were all key players in this victory, but the real MVP was this one.'

Taehyun pulled up the stats for the Catapult Drake he had modified with Larkan's Transmutation Circle.

[Catapult Drake - Modified (Elite Soldier)]

[Rank: B]

[Level: 37]

[Class: Siege Weapon]

[Title: None]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 64]

[Affection: 32]

[Obedience: 57]

[Skills: Superior Range (Modified), Increased Firepower (Modified), Fast Reload (Modified)]

[Special Ability: None]

[Strength: 5] [Endurance: 15] [Agility: 1] [Stamina: 2]

[Mana: 1] [Divinity: 1] [Affinity: 1] [Luck: 8]

The Catapult Drake had been completely overhauled by the Transmutation Circle. Various materials had enhanced its skill efficiency and durability. As a siege unit, it was already expensive, and the rare materials required for its transmutation had demanded an even greater investment of Zen. Its inability to be used within the dungeon's confines was a drawback, but its firepower was devastating.

'I won easily thanks to this guy. Larkan is absolutely indispensable to Balak.' From synthesis to potion crafting, and even the Transmutation Circle—it was no exaggeration to call him a master of all trades. The alchemist was a vital asset.

"The casualties among Balak's soldiers from this battle number around 190," Riel reported. "It truly was a one-sided victory."

"One hundred ninety," Taehyun repeated. "We can replace them with the rewards from the win. How's Grai?"

"Completely unharmed," she replied. "He said that even after dealing with the enemy's Guardian and Keeper, he was rather bored."

The Guardians and Keepers of the alliance were mostly C-rank, just like their soldiers. No matter how many charged him at once, they were no match for Grai, a B-rank Hero Guardian. Coupled with the fact that he was leading the ambush unit, the outcome was never in doubt.

"Well, that sounds like him," Taehyun said. "For now, Riel, dispose of all the corpses on the Desolate Plains."

"I understand."

Leaving the cleanup to Riel, Taehyun went to find Larkan.

[Larkan's Transmutation Circle is sharing Balak's magic.]

[The magic of the Transmutation Circle can be felt throughout your body.]

The Transmutation Circle, nestled in a corner of the dungeon, pulsed with light as it synchronized with Balak's ambient magic.

"What is it now?" Larkan asked, getting up from the floor where he had been resting.

"Another large shipment of items and equipment is on its way."

"Hmph. Does that mean I'll be stuck doing synthesis all day again? You work me to the bone."

"Weren't you the one who told me to use you as I pleased?" Taehyun countered. "At this rate, Balak will only grow stronger. The favor you asked of me might even become possible."

"You say that so easily," Larkan grumbled. "Fine, whatever. I understand. Is that all?"

"Ah, one more thing. Can you mass-produce intermediate potions?"

In addition to his other skills, Larkan could also craft potions. If he could produce more of the intermediate potion that had healed Grai's arm, it could become a significant source of Zen.

"Impossible," Larkan stated flatly. "I was only able to craft one then because I happened to have the necessary materials. They'll be difficult to acquire from now on. They're expensive, and potion crafting is incredibly time-consuming. You saw that yourself, didn't you?"

"Hmm. Is there no other way?"

"None. Even low-grade potions take time. Did you really think there was a shortcut? The ingredients alone are costly. Give it up."

Larkan's tone was final, extinguishing any hope Taehyun had. Disappointed, he nodded. 'Well, I'll have to be satisfied with this for now. The materials for the Transmutation Circle are expensive enough as it is.' The Catapult Drake modifications alone had cost a staggering four million Zen. Adding potion production to that would be unsustainable with his current income.

'He did say that eventually, I'll be able to create entire buildings and structures with the Transmutation Circle. I should focus on accumulating Zen until then.' Taehyun consoled himself with the alchemist's limitless potential and dropped the idea of potion production.

"You're right," Taehyun conceded. "If they were easy to mass-produce, my soldiers would already be carrying them."

"Remember this," Larkan warned. "Even with the materials, I can only create two or three potions a month. Don't come crying to me later. If you need them, tell me in advance."

"Got it. Well, keep up the good work."

Heeding Larkan's advice, Taehyun returned to the Master Room.

---

[Larkan Yngwe]

[Rank: C (Named)]

[Level: 41]

[Class: Alchemist]

[Title: Unfortunate Prince]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 30]

[Affection: 25]

[Obedience: 20]

[Skills: Synthesis, Potion Crafting, Modification, Architectural Transmutation]

[Special Ability: Transmutation Circle]

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

[Mana: 16] [Divinity: 1] [Affinity: 15] [Luck: 9]

'His level has definitely shot up. He mentioned gaining experience every time he performs a transmutation, right? A true craftsman.' Unlike the soldiers, Larkan leveled up through skill proficiency, not combat. Now past level 40, his stats related to transmutation had seen a significant boost.

'How's Grai doing?'

Next, Taehyun checked on his Guardian.

[Orc Swordsman Grai]

[Rank: B (Hero)]

[Level: 52]

[Class: Swordsman]

[Title: Hero of the Tribe]

[Affiliation: Balak]

[Loyalty: 80]

[Affection: 73]

[Obedience: 81]

[Skills: Storm Splitter, Equipment Destruction, Keen Eye, Flash Pierce, Earth Slam]

[Special Ability: Swordsmanship Mastery]

[Strength: 19] [Endurance: 7] [Agility: 10] [Stamina: 8]

[Mana: 3] [Divinity: 1] [Affinity: 4] [Luck: 5]

Grai, who oversaw the training of all the soldiers, was undeniably the strongest single unit in Balak. 'His level has risen quite a bit. He's certainly seen a lot of combat leading the ambush unit.' Grai now served as the de facto commander-in-chief of both the ambush unit and Balak's main forces.

After finishing his review, Taehyun leaned back, struck by how much Balak had changed.

"So this is B-rank."

"A lot of time has passed," Riel said softly from beside him. "You've been managing the dungeon for nearly a year. This kind of progress is only natural."

"That's true," Taehyun agreed. "And there are only about two months left on the contract."

His thoughts drifted to Junhyun. The man had been busy lately, having long since made a name for himself as a B-rank raider. The moment that contract expired, he would undoubtedly come for Balak. Taehyun had to make his dungeon exponentially stronger before that day arrived. He opened the World Map and looked at his domain. The icon for Balak had changed, its rank now officially displayed as B.

"If I don't want to be eaten, I have to be the one doing the eating," he murmured. "With so many bastards targeting me, I have to be thoroughly prepared."

And with that, Taehyun Yoo officially unveiled the B-rank Dungeon Balak to the continent.

---

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