SSS-Rank Overlord: Defend the Dungeon or Die-Chapter 278: Episode

Seonghwi had been on the continent since the very first summoning. As an S-rank Dungeon Master, he had forged the Resistance, but the landscape had shifted. Where he once stood nearly peerless, a new generation of S-ranks had risen from within his own faction. Taehyun, Narae, Hyunjun, Chaerin, Nuri, Seungpil—the old A-ranks had almost all ascended.

Amidst this power shift, the faction had fractured over the Demon Realm conquest, a schism born from Seonghwi's deception. He had intentionally hidden his true goal from all but his inner circle, and now the anti-conquest members simmered with resentment. Though the vote had narrowly passed in his favor, that was precisely what Taehyun had been counting on. The two sides were almost evenly matched; any future vote would likely end in a stalemate.

But there were three exceptions: the neutral bloc of Taehyun, Narae, and Songyi. If all three voted together, they could single-handedly decide the outcome. The neutral Dungeon Masters held the true power.

''I never cared which path they chose. But with the first path decided, the anti-faction's resentment will only grow. If I offer them a new solution now, I can seize control of the entire faction.''

In truth, a fair vote was a fantasy. Taehyun held the gazes of every member in the room and made his pitch.

"I am the one who holds the key to the Demon Gate. I am the one with the authority to command this faction. I am the only one who can truly understand both sides of this conflict. And let's be honest, isn't my dungeon the most influential on the continent? The vote on our direction is over, but this is not."

"Not over? What do you mean?" Hyunjun asked.

"Ah, Hyunjun. I mean that there is a way to satisfy the anti-faction members as well."

"What does that have to do with the faction leader?" Hyunjun pressed. "I may oppose Seonghwi's plan, but he created the Resistance. You'll have to convince us first, Taehyun Yoo."

He was right. As disgruntled as they were, these were people who had followed Seonghwi for years. They wouldn't turn on him over the leadership position so easily. But Taehyun's plan was all-encompassing.

"Of course. If I become the faction leader, I will accommodate the desires of both the pro- and anti-conquest members. I will split our forces into two divisions, each pursuing one of the paths we discussed, thereby solving the issue entirely."

"W-Wait, you'll become the leader?!" Hyunjun sputtered.

"Yes. I will need Seonghwi's formal acknowledgment, of course, but the title of faction leader is meaningless now, isn't it? Not much will change if I take over. However, I will provide special benefits to those who support my vision."

"Benefits?" Chaerin scoffed. "Do you think we can be swayed by ordinary perks?"

A few of the other new S-ranks chuckled. Now that they had a taste of real power, their arrogance had grown. But the benefits Taehyun had in mind were far from ordinary.

"If they were ordinary, I wouldn't have bothered. Those of you who have reached S-rank know what I'm talking about. You finally achieve the rank you've been fighting for, only to find even stronger monsters appearing on the continent. The Anais Kingdom, the superhumans of the oracle, the Frost Queen's army, not to mention the S-rank raiders who are becoming active again. You've built S-rank fortresses, but your situation hasn't improved much. Am I wrong?"

"W-Well, he's not wrong," one member admitted. "I nearly lost my core to two S-rank raiders just last week."

"I'm in the North. I don't think I can escape the Frost Queen's army. I need to prepare, but…" another sighed.

Once you reached a high rank, word spread. New predators were always on the hunt. The continent was chaos—superhumans at Dios Dungeon, the tyrant of Anais, the Holy Kingdom, Duke Peyton, the druids of the East. An ordinary S-rank dungeon was no longer enough to survive.

Taehyun placed a small, magical plant on the table and spread his hands. "Now then… Songyi, don't touch that."

"Okay."

"Ahem. Now, I will show you a little magic."

Every eye was fixed on him. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation. Taehyun slowly activated his ability and announced the name of his trick.

"This is the magic of Evolution."

Jaws dropped around the room. The small plant erupted, its vines and leaves twisting and growing until the monstrous Parasite filled the space, its head brushing against the high ceiling, leaving everyone utterly speechless.

---

Taehyun offered three benefits. First, the gift of evolution through his unique ability. Second, active support for lower-ranked Dungeon Masters. Third, formal alliances, complete with contracts guaranteeing mutual aid.

The second and third were things Seonghwi could have offered, but the first was a power unique to Taehyun. The ability to evolve a creature's very rank, enhancing its stats and skills—it was an irresistible offer to both factions. The room buzzed with conflicted deliberation.

"A special ability that forces evolution… The contract is a bit of a concern, but strengthening our forces would be trivial with that power."

"He said he'd support us B and A-ranks, too. With a territory like Balak, his help would be substantial."

"An alliance… that means we could send Guardians and Keepers as reinforcements. If S-rank raiders attack, we could actually fend them off."

The tide of opinion was turning. With the promise of three game-changing benefits and a solution that honored both paths, there was little room for complaint. The original elite members glared at him, but they no longer held the power to object. Taehyun savored their resentment and met Seonghwi's gaze.

''How do you like that? The rookie you tried to control has grown this much. No, not just grown. I've surpassed your wildest estimations, grown large enough to devour you all. You thought you could bind me? Not a chance.''

He was no longer the newbie from their first meeting. He stood before them as an S-rank Dungeon Master, a monster of immense influence. Even Seonghwi was rendered speechless, forced to simply watch as his power base crumbled.

Taehyun addressed the wavering members one last time. "Well then. Shall we vote? Seunghoon, if you would."

"…You've gone too far, Taehyun Yoo," Seunghoon ground out.

"I don't think so. Look around you. You saw your members as pawns, so you failed to care for them. You may have lured them in with promises of a peaceful faction, but your true intentions are exposed. There's no reason to hesitate."

"Grrr'. Fine. I'll do as you say," Seung-hoon snarled.

Human anxiety couldn't be suppressed by fear alone. If Seonghwi's path had been forced upon the dissenters, it would have bred rebellion. It was far more efficient to offer them an irresistible incentive, to soothe their fears while gently guiding them into a new cage.

"Then we will proceed with the second vote," Seung-hoon announced, his voice strained. "The first option is for Seonghwi Hyun to remain faction leader. The second is to appoint Taehyun Yoo as the new leader. Are there any objections?"

Everyone nodded. They took the ballots and quills once more.

"Are you really going to become the leader?" Narae whispered beside him.

"Of course. I'm going to lead the Resistance from now on. So just trust me and follow along."

"Wh-What? I haven't said anything yet! W-Well, it's not that I don't want to…"

"Then hurry up and vote."

Narae was torn. She was one of the elites, but she was also allied with Balak. Taehyun gave her a small smile and peeked at Songyi's ballot. It just said: 'Taehyun. Taehyun. Taehyun.'

''Hmm. If there were three of me, conquering the continent might not be a dream after all.'' The thought sent a faint chill down his spine.

As the members made their decisions, Seung-hoon began collecting the votes. "I will now begin the count." He opened the box, and a pile of folded papers tumbled out. He began to tally them, one by one.

[Seonghwi Hyun: 5]

[Taehyun Yoo: 3]

''As expected. He's been the leader for years.'' The faces of the elite members brightened with relief. But less than half the votes had been counted. The real battle was just beginning. Taehyun calmly stroked Songyi's hair and watched the numbers.

[Seonghwi Hyun: 10]

[Taehyun Yoo: 10]

The gap was closing. Seung-hoon's movements slowed, his expression tense as he counted.

[Seonghwi Hyun: 15]

[Taehyun Yoo: 18]

Taehyun had pulled ahead. The elites stared in disbelief, rubbing their eyes as if to clear them. A shift began in the room. Members from both sides started moving, drifting toward the center where Taehyun sat. Seonghwi, his composure shattered, glared at them with bloodshot eyes. Then, even his staunchest allies—Nuri, Hyunjun, Seungpil, and Ihyeok—left his side and walked toward the center.

"I-Ihyeok! Nuri! Not you two!" Seonghwi choked out.

"Honestly, I don't care who the leader is," Ihyeok said bluntly. "I'll follow whoever benefits me most. And that Evolution ability? I need it."

"As do I," Hyunjun added. "I stood with the pro-faction out of obligation as an elite, but I originally intended to oppose it. Since things have turned out this way, siding with Taehyun Yoo is the logical choice."

Traitors? No. They were simply faction members asserting their own interests. This wasn't betrayal; it was their right. Taehyun welcomed them with a nod and checked the final tally.

[Seonghwi Hyun: 16]

[Taehyun Yoo: 47]

As expected, everyone had chosen the path that benefited them most. It was a complete abandonment of their former leader, but humans were fickle creatures. They had all calculated the potential losses from the faction's internal conflict and concluded that Taehyun was the only winning bet.

"That settles it," Taehyun announced. "I will now accept the position of faction leader. Seonghwi, you said it yourself: a proper vote was held, and we must abide by it. Now, it is your turn to do so."

Forty-seven members now stood with him, a new coalition formed from the ashes of the old. Among them were pawns Seonghwi had considered vital. He had no choice but to concede. With a look of utter defeat, Seonghwi opened the faction community window and transferred his authority.

[Resistance Faction Leader Seonghwi Hyun has transferred all authority.]

[YES/NO]

''Yes, obviously.''

He had finally seized the Resistance itself. Even Narae, after a long moment of hesitation, had cast her vote for him. The game was over.

[A new Resistance Faction Leader has been born.]

[From now on, Taehyun Yoo will lead the faction.]

A triumphant fanfare echoed through the hall, signaling the end of the meeting. Taehyun sent a message to the members through the community chat and rose from his seat.

"This meeting is adjourned."

The Resistance had accepted its new revolution and was now moving toward a new future.