SSS-Rank Overlord: Defend the Dungeon or Die-Chapter 165: Episode _The Demon Realm Auction

Chapter 44: The Demon Realm Auction

[The contract procedure has been completed.]

[The contract has been activated.]

[Morpina, the God of Contracts, watches over Player Taehyun Yoo and NPC Momonte Ansleyke.]

The deal with Momonte was sealed. Now, Taehyun would continuously receive information from him and be able to move the entire guild. The Zen he got through Valona was a bonus; the main purpose was to obtain a dagger to stab Count Dinen in the back. From now on, Baron Momonte would act as a spy while working under the Count. All information would be passed on to Balak, allowing Taehyun to easily grasp the movements of the Raiders.

“So the contract is finalized,” Riel said. “But wasn’t Valona in a state where she couldn’t sign anything?”

“If I say it happened, it’s the truth,” Taehyun replied flatly.

Valona Ansleyke. It wouldn’t be easy to get someone he couldn’t even have a proper conversation with to sign a contract. However, as long as the contract with Baron Momonte was sealed, everything belonging to the Ansleyke family had effectively been handed over to Balak.

Taehyun smiled faintly and summoned Larkan and Tuperus. The two were currently the only technicians in Balak who had been given leadership roles.

“You demon bastard,” Larkan sneered. “What are you going to make me do this time?”

“Ah, I’d like you to build a new waterway for the small city of Myol. I’ll provide all the materials, so the two of you will be in charge of building it.”

“Hmph! A waterway for a city like that is nothing! Don’t underestimate our Rough Rock Tribe!” Tuperus declared with booming confidence before leaving the Master Room.

Larkan, left alone, let out a weary sigh and then followed him out.

“For some reason, Sir Larkan has become much less talkative,” Riel observed.

“Well, with what happened last time, he probably needs some time to think. I had him sign a contract, so there shouldn’t be any problems.”

The Antelos Dungeon, with which they had formed an alliance. Larkan’s relationship with him had deteriorated significantly due to the Badon he had summoned while stopping the Eleanor Raid Party. He had made him sign a contract as a temporary measure, but it would be impossible to mend their twisted relationship. For now, he had to be satisfied with having secured him as a member of Balak.

Taehyun checked the 40 million Zen he received from Momonte and curled his lips into a smile. The Ansleyke barony was already accumulating immense wealth, and with Count Dinen’s support, they would be overflowing with Zen. That was why Momonte had paid the amount demanded in the deal at once.

’And that’s not all. He’ll continuously send Zen, and I’ll be able to increase my income sources through the information he provides. I won’t have to worry about finances for a while.’

Taehyun had already dispatched a search party outside the territory and was starting up Administrator Mode.

---

At that moment, inside the tavern run by the dungeon residents, Raiders were occupying the tables one by one.

“Sigh. She still won’t give me the time of day,” one of them lamented.

“Cheer up, man. As long as we’re alive, there are still plenty of chances,” his friend replied.

Among them were two Raiders who insisted on only raiding the Labyrinth and earned a steady income. Puito patted Atirun’s shoulder, comforting him. The two had been confused when they first went to the Labyrinth, but now they had completely adapted and were even mingling with the dungeon residents. Atirun, in particular, was smitten with a resident who cleaned the Labyrinth’s interior, but she was so resolute that she had yet to open her heart to him.

“Since she’s lived in the Labyrinth, she probably just sees us as intruders, right?” Atirun asked glumly.

“I don’t think so. The other residents talk to Raiders just fine, don’t they? It’s probably just her. Cheer up.”

“Hoo. What if she ignores me again when I visit tomorrow?”

“If you’re that worried, I’ll go—”

Just as Puito was trying to ease his worries, a woman’s scream came from outside. It seemed a Raider was brandishing a weapon at a dungeon resident.

“You demon’s dog! We give you our business and you dare sell us this trash?!” a gruff voice yelled.

“N-No. There must be some misunderstanding...” a woman pleaded.

“What do you mean, no? You damn bitch!”

A group presumed to be a B-rank raid party was threatening a woman. Puito, who was sitting down, immediately scowled.

“Lately, there have been a lot more incidents like this. It’s probably because that demon bastard is focused on the A-rank raid parties and can’t manage the city of Myol properly.”

“Fucking bastards,” Atirun growled. “You mean they’re taking advantage of that to run wild.”

“It’s the dungeon’s territory, so there’s no law or punishment. Those guys know that and do this while staying out of the soldiers’ sight. The watchtowers in Myol are still only in a few places, so they’re feeling secure.”

A-rank raid parties had been flooding in ever since the Eleanor Raid Party. The Dungeon Master, who had always managed the territory, had no choice but to focus his attention in one direction.

Atirun couldn’t take it anymore and shot up from his seat. “I can’t stand it! Even if she’s a dungeon resident, that’s going too far!”

“C-Calm down, Atirun! There are five B-rank Raiders. It’s too much for the two of us!”

They were still just C-rank Raiders. If they recklessly charged at B-rank Raiders, they might get beaten to death. But Atirun thought of the woman in the Labyrinth and shook Puito off.

“You pieces of trash! Does it feel good to bully a defenseless woman like that?!” he yelled, striding forward.

“Huh? Who the hell are you? Get lost! Can’t you see we’re busy?!” one of the thugs shot back.

“Take your hands off that woman! Are you going to rape her now just because she’s a dungeon resident?!”

“Ha! Look at Mr. Justice here. Now we’ve got Raiders protecting dungeon residents. Is that it?!” A rather large B-rank Raider approached, cracking his knuckles. However, Atirun showed no signs of being intimidated.

“Dungeon residents were originally just ordinary people from the continent! You know that, and you’re still doing this? Guys like you don’t even deserve to be called Raiders!”

“Judging by your gear, you look like a C-rank Raider. You know that and you’re still trying to stop us?”

“Rank doesn’t matter!”

“I tried to be nice, but this bastard!”

The B-rank Raider, a Warrior, used his superior physical stats to strike Atirun in a single blow.

“Keuk.”

“Hmph. A nobody. Just stay there and watch quietly!” he sneered at the fallen Atirun and turned his back. His comrades had already grabbed the woman and were slowly stripping her clothes off. She struggled and cried out for help, but the people who had gathered in the street were all too afraid of the B-rank Raiders to step in.

“Hehehe. This little bitch, she looks so desirable. Let me have a tou—”

Just then, over a hundred harpies appeared in the sky, descending like a storm. The man holding his pants panicked and drew his weapon.

“Wh-What are you all doing?! Prepare for battle, now!” the leader, Rakun, shouted.

“Captain! There are too many harpies! I think it would be best to escape!”

“F-Fine! We’ll use a return item! Just hold out until we teleport!”

The B-rank raid party abandoned the woman they were about to assault and used a return item.

[The Rakun Raid Party has used a return item.]

[The designated Raiders will be returned.]

A return portal then formed in their midst. The Raiders fought off the swarming harpies, waiting desperately for their escape. Just then, the portal, which had been emitting mana, vanished.

[The Dungeon Master of Balak has activated ’Item Nullification’.]

[The return item is canceled.]

[The Rakun Raid Party’s return has failed.]

It was the Dungeon Master’s nullification item. One by one, the Raiders were caught by the harpies and dragged into the sky, while Rakun held on alone, casting skills.

“Damn it! How could that demon bastard have been watching this place?! Dammit!” he roared.

“The Master is omnipotent,” a deep voice declared. “He can locate a worm like you from anywhere.”

“Who the hell are you?! Get out of my way!” Rakun snapped at the knight who had appeared out of nowhere. He was already busy dealing with the harpies and had no energy to spare for another opponent.

However, the knight silently drew his greatsword and walked through the harpies as if they weren’t there.

“Wh-What? You must be a Raider too, so why are the harpies—?!”

“How absurd. To think something like this would happen while I was training the residents,” the knight said, his voice laced with contempt. “I am no Raider. I am merely a knight who serves only the Master!”

“Aaagh! Don’t come any closer! I said don’t come any closer!”

“No more words!”

The knight cut Rakun down in a single strike, ending the situation. The harpies collected his corpse along with the other Raiders and returned to Balak.

“Can you stand?” the knight asked the woman gently.

“Y-Yes.”

“That is a relief.” He draped a blanket over her and helped her up. She blushed shyly, and the people who had gathered around began to applaud.

“That’s a relief. A real relief,” Atirun muttered from the ground. “But why do I feel so cheated?!”

He felt an inexplicable sense of injustice. He was the one who had tried to save the woman, but somehow the knight had ended up resolving the situation. Puito, helping him up, patted his shoulder sympathetically.

“I get it. In the end, it’s all about a man’s looks.”

“Dammit.”

Atirun burst into tears.

---

[The Rakun Raid Party has been annihilated.]

[Acquired five B-rank Raider corpses.]

“Oof. Don’t these bugs ever get tired of this?” Taehyun muttered.

“It seems that over the past few days, Raiders have been harassing the dungeon residents in Myol,” Riel reported.

“Tsk. So they took advantage of the fact that I was busy with the A-rank raid parties and went on another rampage.”

He had discovered the B-rank Raiders’ rampage as soon as he entered Administrator Mode. Grai had stepped in late and resolved the situation, but he couldn’t let it be. Taehyun opened the shop and began purchasing buildings.

[Installing 10 Intermediate Blacksmiths in the small city of Myol.]

[Installing 10 Low-grade Guard Posts in the small city of Myol.]

[Installing 5 additional Watchtowers in the small city of Myol.]

[Installing a Low-grade Guard Headquarters in the small city of Myol.]

[Installing a Low-grade Guard Watchtower in the small city of Myol.]

One by one, the buildings in Myol entered the installation process. Taehyun assigned dwarves to the new construction, reducing the required time.

[Tuperus of the Rough Rock Tribe has grasped the structure of the waterway.]

[NPC Larkan has cast a transmutation circle.]

[The waterway structure inside the small city of Myol begins to be reconfigured.]

Following that, Tuperus and Larkan also began work on the waterway, filling in Myol’s deficiencies.

“They won’t be able to rampage with all this,” Taehyun said with satisfaction. “Riel, once the guard posts and headquarters are built, take some of the harpies and evil goblins and send them as guards.”

“Understood. By the way, are you planning on going somewhere?”

“I’ve got Zen now, so I need to get new equipment for the Guardians and Keepers. And, well, if I see anything else I need or that looks good, I’ll buy that too.” Taehyun took the Demon Realm Auction invitation out of his inventory.

Riel, finally understanding, puffed out her cheeks. “So you’re taking everyone else and leaving just me behind?”

“Someone has to protect Balak. I’m counting on you.”

“If you don’t buy me a present when you come back, I might just have to pout,” she said, trying to look stern.

“...Don’t be dramatic.”

And so, Taehyun and his main forces set off to visit the Demon Realm Auction.

---

[The Demon Realm Auction Invitation has been used.]

[Transporting to the Demon Realm Auction.]

[Will you permit your companions to accompany you?]

[YES/NO]

’They’re not exactly companions, but yes.’

As he permitted their accompaniment, a teleportation magic circle formed around them. Blue mana flashed, and in an instant, Taehyun and his main forces were transported to the entrance of the Demon Realm Auction.

[You have been transported to the entrance of the Demon Realm Auction.]

He arrived at the entrance. An intermediate demon who was waiting greeted Taehyun and moved to check his invitation.

“Welcome! I’m Kesha, an intermediate demon. Let me just check your invitation first!”

“Here.”

“Yes, confirmed. You are Dungeon Master Taehyun Yoo of the A-rank Balak. First of all, thank you very much for visiting our Demon Realm Auction. Before you enter, I’ll explain a few things.”

The woman, whose heterochromatic eyes stood out, began to explain the rules. First, upon entering the auction, one is automatically bound by a contract. Second, the contract prevents others from disclosing what happened during the auction or the auction itself. Third, any use of force within the auction is strictly forbidden, and all skills and abilities are blocked. Fourth, if the contract terms are violated, one’s Dungeon Master qualification is automatically revoked. Fifth, of the companions brought along, only one can accompany you at a time. The rest are sealed in cards, and you can freely switch between them. Sixth, if any products belonging to the Demon Realm Auction are stolen or used without permission, one’s Dungeon Master qualification is automatically revoked.

“That’s about it. Did you understand?”

“...Is this place also run by Duke Nikunbel?”

“Of course. It is thanks to Duke Nikunbel’s grace that I am able to work here. Now, then. First, I’ll seal your companions in cards.”

Kesha used the cards she was holding to seal Balak’s main forces.

[Sieghart (Sealed)]

[Rabiz (Sealed)]

[Grai (Sealed)]

[Mederia (Sealed)]

[Angelina (Sealed)]

A total of five cards were handed to Taehyun.

“From these, you can choose who you want to explore the auction with and unseal them. You can switch them with others inside at any time, so don’t worry.”

“Hmm. Who should I go with?” Taehyun pondered for a moment. Just then, messages began to appear from the cards.

[Mederia: Master Taehyun, I want to go. Please let me go!]

[Rabiz: I will protect the Master.]

[Angelina: You haven’t kept your promise for a while now. I need the Dungeon Master’s touch!]

Starting with the three women, even Sieghart and Grai wanted to escort him.

“What’s this?”

“Ah, that’s a system we created to make communication easier while they’re sealed in a card. They can hear your voice, Master Taehyun, and you can see their messages, so it’s perfect, isn’t it?”

“...I guess so.”

It was certainly convenient. However, he couldn’t exactly look comfortably at the messages appearing from Angelina’s sealed card. Taehyun put her card in his pocket and thought.

’Not those two idiots. Mederia’s maid outfit will probably draw attention. I guess Rabiz is the better choice.’

Rabiz was still sending messages continuously.

[I. Want. To. Go.]

’She makes me a little nervous, but she’s better than the others.’

Taehyun made his decision and used the card in which Rabiz was sealed.

[The seal on the A-rank Named Guardian, Ruler of Space Rabiz, has been released.]

“Thank you, Master,” Rabiz said with a slight bow.

“Alright. Your companion has been decided. Please follow me. I will guide you through the auction in order.”

And so, Taehyun and Rabiz followed Kesha’s guidance and entered the Demon Realm Auction.

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