SSS-Rank Overlord: Defend the Dungeon or Die-Chapter 277: Episode

The North was in turmoil. With the Frost Queen unsealed, her armies had swept through the land. After her witch, Yuslan, captured the capital of the Moderland Empire, the far west had become the Frost Queen's undisputed domain, and the collateral damage was immense. Her forces were now presumed to be marching on the Derk Empire, and the surrounding lands were already encased in frost. Mountain villages and northern dungeons alike had been annihilated, leaving their Dungeon Masters to face the worst imaginable fate. As a result, a number of Resistance members had simply vanished.

''It seems even the Resistance members in the North couldn't escape her army. A few are clinging to life with the help of S-rank Dungeon Masters, but their numbers are dwindling. And with the wide variety of S-rank exclusive skills, they must have been forced to make some hard choices.''

Balak had the Dungeon Protection skill, which had saved Katarniak, but not everyone was so lucky. If they had all possessed such a skill, Narae would have protected Katarniak herself. Taehyun scanned the faction members gathered around the table, a clear line drawn between them.

''So, there's been a schism. Are all the Dungeon Masters on my side of the room openly defying Seonghwi?''

He recognized a few unexpected faces, which suggested this wasn't about simple friendships. He gave Seungpil a slight nod in greeting. Across the table, Seonghwi began to speak.

"You can see it for yourselves. For the first time, our faction is facing an internal division. Or rather, a split in opinion."

"Hmm. What opinions would those be?" Taehyun asked.

"One side favors the conquest of the Demon Realm. The other does not. Unfortunately for you, the latter have all gathered on your side."

"Oh? It seems some members joined the Resistance without even knowing that was the ultimate goal."

Seonghwi merely shrugged. A plan as immense as a Demon Realm conquest was bound to have dissenters. He and Seung-hoon had likely anticipated this and deliberately kept some members in the dark.

''Which means everyone gathered over there are the elite of the Resistance.'' Of course, Narae, who was still hesitating between the two groups, was also an elite, her conflict written plainly on her face.

''The Demon Realm Conquest… Fighting demons would be unimaginably difficult. If it were the only way to return home, I wouldn't hesitate, but since nothing's been confirmed, I suppose I belong on this side for now.''

His position had changed drastically since their first meeting. Then, he had been swept along by Seonghwi's agenda. Now, it was the complete opposite. With two million units of mana in the Demon Jade, the ability to open a gate, and the authority to command the faction a single time, not to mention Balak's S-rank status, he was at no disadvantage.

"Seonghwi, you deceived us," a man named Hyunjun spat. "You never mentioned a Demon Realm conquest, and now you confess? You were just planning to use us as pawns."

"Hey, Hyunjun, calm down and think rationally," another member, Ihyeok, interjected. "Do you really think Seonghwi would orchestrate all this just to use us as pawns?"

"Stay out of this, Ihyeok. You're one of them," Hyunjun shot back. "I thought I was an elite member of this faction, but I see I wasn't even worth that much."

"Huh? What did you just say? Are you looking to die?" Ihyeok growled.

The atmosphere crackled with hostility. Watching them, Taehyun revised his own position. ''It seems Hwanhee Jeong's underwater dungeon has been discovered. That means they all know I absorbed his mana.''

He finally understood why the opposition had flocked to him. They planned to use him—the one who controlled the gate—to prevent the conquest from ever happening. In that case, he had no reason to sit with the opposition. His place was at the head of the table. Not for, not against, but a neutral power unto himself. No matter how they tore at each other, the final decision rested with him. The faction members would have no choice but to follow the man who held the key. Seonghwi must have arranged this meeting for that very reason.

Holding Songyi, Taehyun rose and moved to the empty seat at the center of the long table.

"H-Hey. What are you doing, Taehyun Yoo?" Hyunjun stammered.

"Puhaha! What's this? Declaring neutrality?" Ihyeok scoffed.

Every eye in the room locked onto him. Taehyun stroked Songyi's head, his voice ringing with quiet authority as he announced the true start of the meeting. "Alright. Let's begin. As you all know, I hold the decision-making power. The future of this faction will be decided by my choice. Anyone with a complaint is free to leave. After all, the Resistance will move forward, one way or another."

At last, the faction's true power had spoken. The members hesitated for a moment before erupting into debate. The pro-conquest side argued for their original purpose, while the anti-conquest side pushed for a safer path. They engaged in a fierce war of words, each trying to win him over.

Taehyun watched the fascinating spectacle unfold, beckoning for Narae to join him. "If you're conflicted, just sit here. I'll be deciding the outcome anyway."

"U-Uh, okay."

"Now," Taehyun murmured, a dangerous glint in his eye. "Let's see which side can make a more compelling case."

The man who had been the target of jealousy and envy from the very first meeting now sat at the pinnacle, looking down upon them all.

---

The debate dragged on with no end in sight, spiraling into far-fetched theories, ignorant arguments, and irrelevant tangents. Finally, Seung-hoon, who had been listening silently beside Seonghwi, slammed his fist on the table. The hall fell silent.

"This is getting us nowhere," he declared. "Instead, Taehyun Yoo will explain both options, and then we will vote. Does everyone agree?"

"It comes down to a vote again. Fine by me," Hyunjun said.

"I was just starting to get bored. Let's do it," Ihyeok added.

In any gathering, majority rule was the final arbiter. It was true in the modern world, and it was true for the Resistance. Seung-hoon turned to Taehyun for the final confirmation. "You're okay with this, right?"

"Of course," Taehyun replied smoothly. "Since Seonghwi is just sitting there, I suppose I have to step up. Now, allow me to explain the two paths forward."

The Resistance was already revolving around him, not Seonghwi. The others seemed to sense it, as no one dared object. Well, almost no one. Seungpil, who had been a loudmouth since the Faction War, was the exception.

"Hey, wait a minute! Just because that Taehyun guy has the final say doesn't make this right!"

"Hey, big guy, could you please shut up?" a woman named Chaerin Han sneered. "You're distracting." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Grr! That bitch Chaerin!"

"If you're so pissed, come raid my dungeon yourself. All talk and no guts."

The two hotheads, both S-rank powerhouses, glared at each other, ready to come to blows. It was a predictable clash as more A-rank Dungeon Masters ascended to the top. Taehyun silenced them with a withering look.

"Both of you, sit down. I can't explain anything with you two acting like this."

"You're no exception, kid," Seungpil grumbled. "Don't get cocky just because you have the power, or you'll end up in a coffin."

"My, my. It seems Chaerin doesn't quite grasp what 'decision-making power' truly means," Taehyun said, his voice dropping. "With a single word, I could have every member of this faction descend upon your dungeon. I suggest you choose your next words very carefully."

"Kyahaha! Are you trying to scare me?" she laughed, though it sounded strained. "Now you're just spouting nonsense. The newbie's really grown up, hasn't he, Seonghwi?"

She turned to her leader for support, but Seonghwi remained frozen in his seat, his expression like stone. Only then did Chaerin realize this was no joke. "…Don't tell me it's true?" she whispered.

"I am in a very foul mood right now," Seonghwi said, his narrow eyes opening just a fraction. A palpable killing intent flooded the room. "I would appreciate it if you sat down quietly. Otherwise, I might just explode."

The members swallowed hard and averted their gazes. Finally, with silence restored, Taehyun began his explanation. "Alright. The two paths are as follows…"

---

His summary was concise. The first path was to prepare for opening the Demon Gate, with the West as the focal point. During this process, Balak would be the gate's location and would receive constant protection from the faction. The plan also included the elimination of the Anais Kingdom, which in turn revealed the secrets of the Tarantula faction.

The second path was to forgo the gate and instead solidify their power on the continent by eliminating key threats. This also included targets like the Anais Kingdom, the Holy Kingdom, and the Frost Queen's northern army. The key difference was that its scope was limited to the continent.

Ultimately, either path allowed Taehyun to use the faction to eliminate his obstacles. The result was the same for him.

"Then let's begin the vote," Seung-hoon announced. "If you have complaints about the options, speak now. Of course, any revisions are up to Taehyun."

"I'm willing to make reasonable revisions if I hear a compelling argument," Taehyun added magnanimously.

"Tsk. In the end, either choice only benefits Balak," Chaerin muttered. "No matter what you revise, Balak remains the center."

Some shot him resentful looks, but it was futile. Had Taehyun used his compulsory command, they would all be fighting for Balak's sake already. They had no choice but to be satisfied with this small concession. They took the papers and quills from Seung-hoon and began to vote.

"Here, Taehyun, you too."

"Understood."

"Give these to Narae and Songyi as well."

"Yes, yes."

Narae and Songyi, having long since given up on the tedious debate, were dozing. Taehyun gently poked Narae's head with his quill.

"Heeh? Is it finally over?"

"Wipe the drool from your mouth first. Here, take this. You have to vote, too."

"Ugh! I-I wasn't drooling! Just give it to me!"

"Tsk, tsk. So clumsy."

With the three neutral parties now participating, all the faction members cast their votes. Seung-hoon collected the papers and began the count.

[First Path: 4]

[Second Path: 3]

The numbers climbed. The pro- and anti-conquest members watched Seung-hoon's hands, their bodies tense. As the last of the ballots were counted, the result was revealed.

[First Path: 32]

[Second Path: 31]

By a single vote, the first path had won. The future of the Resistance was set. Joy and despair warred on the faces of the opposing sides. Seonghwi, who had watched in silence, rose to his feet.

"You have no complaints, I trust," he said to the anti-conquest members. "We held a proper vote. You will abide by it."

"Uh…"

"Taehyun Yoo, that goes for you, too. You understand, right?"

"You're not even calling me newbie anymore," Taehyun noted with a smirk. "Fine. I have no complaints about the first path. However…" He rose from his seat, his gaze sweeping across the room before proposing another vote. "I would like to hold one more."

"…What are you scheming now?" Seonghwi's voice was tight.

"Oh, don't worry, it's not about the path we've chosen. I just have a simple question."

"What question?"

"I was just wondering if it's truly acceptable for you, Seonghwi, to remain the faction leader," Taehyun said, his voice dangerously soft. "After all, haven't our positions been reversed?"

The predator was finally baring its teeth.