SSS-Rank Overlord: Defend the Dungeon or Die-Chapter 206: Episode

[A-rank Magic Stone × 4]

[A-rank Spirit Stone Fragment × 8]

The magic stones began to pile up. They were now on the fifth floor of the Ice Palace. They had camped once, but the advance was proceeding without much trouble.

[A-rank Named Mercenary Crybaby Eclat has cast Melody of Blessing.]

[All soldiers’ defense has increased.]

The shield-bearers’ bodies were soon bathed in a blue light. The basilisks charged forward aggressively, ramming into the highest-grade ice spirit.

"Mere monsters, how dare you!" the spirit, Cecilon, roared as it was pushed back in anger.

[Highest-grade Ice Spirit Cecilon has cast Snowball Roll.]

[The basilisks are being pulled into the snowball.]

The snowball, growing as it rolled across the floor, swallowed the basilisks whole. Taehyun watched it roll toward his soldiers and gave an order.

"Focus the buffs on the trolls! Trolls, form a single line and block the snowball!"

[Command skill has been activated.]

[The soldiers’ reaction speed increases sequentially.]

[The effect of the Affinity skill has been activated.]

[The soldiers begin to quickly understand your command.]

[The effect of Seira’s Conductor’s Baton has been activated.]

[The soldiers begin to perfectly understand your command.]

His Command and Affinity skills were already at level eight; his proficiency had nearly reached its limit. The heavily buffed trolls began to block the snowball.

"Kwoooar!"

"Krooooar!"

"Kruuuuar!"

Their bodies were slowly being pushed back, and the durability of their shields was gradually decreasing.

’As expected of a highest-grade ice spirit. Its skills are powerful.’

The previous floors had been endless waves of Seiras, but the fifth floor was different. Taehyun sent Ziegfried and Grai to the front, looking for an opening.

"Pathetic!" Cecilon shrieked. "Did you think I couldn’t move just because I was casting Snowball Roll?!"

Cecilon, who had been channeling magic into the snowball, fired a barrage of crystal swords. Their magic power was far stronger than a Seira’s. Ziegfried quickly cast Shield of the Colossus to block them.

[A-rank Guardian Knight Grai has cast Crescent Slash.]

[Highest-grade Ice Spirit Cecilon’s spirit power has been partially depleted.]

As Grai followed up with an attack, the spirit’s energy began to drain away. Cecilon grew frightened and began to spam its skills indiscriminately.

"Don’t come closer! I said, don’t come closer! Don’t touch my spirit energy!"

For a spirit, its energy was its life force. Cecilon’s rampage was somewhat understandable. But Taehyun didn’t hesitate to drive the final nail in the coffin.

"Big Dream, cast Black Mist!"

"Understood."

A black mist formed directly in front of them. Now, Cecilon’s magic skills were useless. Taehyun quickly sent his ranged soldiers into the black mist to begin the final phase.

---

[A-rank Magic Stone x 31]

[B-rank Magic Stone x 85]

[A-rank Spirit Stone Fragment × 14]

[Cecilon’s Crystal Boots]

[Cecilon’s Magic Ring]

[Cecilon’s Cold-blooded Helm]

[Trace of Intense Cold × 9]

These were the items Cecilon dropped upon death. Taehyun was satisfied to see the considerable number of A-rank magic stones.

’The drop rate is pretty good. If I clear up to the tenth floor, I should be able to upgrade to level seven.’

He estimated it would be around level seven. If the tenth-floor boss dropped more magic stones than expected, he might even be able to reach level eight. Taehyun stored the Traces of Intense Cold and checked the equipment.

[Cecilon’s Crystal Boots]

[Rank: A]

[Restriction: Level 60 or higher, all classes]

[Description: Cecilon’s Crystal Boots, a unique-grade item. These boots, personally crafted by her, double the wearer’s resistance to the cold attribute.]

First were Cecilon’s Crystal Boots. They were a rare unique-grade item, but unfortunately, their effect wasn’t very good.

’This one’s a pass.’

[Cecilon’s Magic Ring]

[Rank: A]

[Restriction: Level 60 or higher, all classes]

[Description: Cecilon’s Magic Ring, a unique-grade item. This ring, personally crafted by her, increases the wearer’s magic amplification rate.]

Second was Cecilon’s Magic Ring. This time, as befitting a unique-grade item, it had the effect of increasing magic amplification. There were three mages in Balak. Hendy didn’t need it as she was already equipped, and Raimond was a contract mercenary, so he didn’t need it either. That left only Raviz. Taehyun handed her the ring.

"Wear this. It will be helpful."

"I will cherish it for the rest of my life, Master."

As Raviz made her firm resolve, her favorability rose. Her favorability stat was already over eighty. Taehyun let out a low hum and checked the third piece of equipment.

[Cecilon’s Cold-blooded Helm]

[Rank: A]

[Restriction: Level 60 or higher, Warrior and Knight classes]

[Description: Cecilon’s Cold-blooded Helm, a unique-grade item. This helm, personally crafted by her, increases the wearer’s cold wave power.]

The menacing-looking Cold-blooded Helm clearly had a designated owner.

’I can give this to Sihan. It looks a bit strange, but he’ll have no choice but to wear it if I order him to.’

The three members of the Elenore Raid Party were currently greeting the bus raid party in Heimdal. They would probably be very pleased with this gift. With that, Taehyun finished checking the equipment and stood up.

"All soldiers have finished their preparations. I believe you can proceed to the next floor immediately," Big Dream reported.

"Hmm. For now, go calm those two down."

"Pardon?"

Big Dream turned his head. Grizzle and Granzle were at it again.

"Father, I dealt more damage!"

"Son, are you doubting my words?!"

"I did more!"

"I did!"

It was an utterly childish fight. Big Dream sighed and began to mediate between the two. Taehyun checked the soldiers’ health and looked through his inventory.

[Trace of Intense Cold × 242]

He had already accumulated this many Traces of Cold. It was the only clue to finding the Frost Queen and witch, Yuslan. Perhaps he could find a lead on this difficulty.

’By the way, who’s the boss on the tenth floor? Now that the Royal Guard and the Legion Commander are gone, the next one in rank should appear...’

He was suddenly reminded of the guardian of Antelos Dungeon: Badon, the commander of the Frost Queen’s army. Perhaps he was one of the guardians of the Ice Palace. However, Taehyun quickly shook his head.

’He was summoned as a dungeon guardian, so he’s probably not related to the ruins.’

For now, he had to focus on conquering the Ice Palace. Taehyun led the re-organized soldiers toward the next floor.

---

With a final crack of bone, the last remaining Raider collapsed without even a final scream. This was the final room of Antelos Dungeon. A few of the teams, split into groups of ten, had been lucky enough to reach it, but they could not escape death. Badon wiped his blood-soaked hands and crossed the bridge.

"That’s the end of it. Master, I’ve taken care of them all."

"Yeah. Good job." Songyi, who was sitting down, nodded without even glancing his way.

Rubin, beside her, pointed to the faction community window and smiled faintly. Understanding at last, Badon sighed and looked across the room. The so-called A-rank Raiders were all lying there miserably, all dead by his hand.

’I can afford to be relaxed for now, but I’m worried. How long does the Dungeon Master plan to cling to that man? If things go wrong, we might have to deal with the Raiders targeting Balak as well.’

Since they had formed an alliance, Balak’s enemies were also Antelos’s enemies. As long as Songyi was infatuated with Taehyun, she would do anything to help him. After the Faction War, she might even send troops to the West. The thought of Taehyun made Badon scowl.

’That bastard. If it weren’t for the Master, I would have rushed over and ended his life by now.’

Eliminating one Dungeon Master would be incredibly simple. The problem was that Songyi was watching him like a hawk. Badon sighed and was about to return to his room when runes began to appear before his eyes.

[The Cold Jade has been exposed. Annihilate the intruders inside the Ice Palace.]

The message was short and concise. For Badon, however, it was a matter he could not ignore.

"...Master. There is a place I must go for a moment."

"Okay. Come back quickly."

"I will take care of it and return swiftly."

And with that, Badon’s form vanished. Songyi belatedly checked the message that appeared before her and tilted her head.

[Badon, Legion Commander of the Frost Queen’s Army, has been forcibly summoned.]

[If he does not return within 7 days, his affiliation with Antelos will be removed.]

"What’s this, Rubin?"

"It seems to be related to the Frost Queen’s army, like last time. He will probably take care of it quickly and return. For now, let’s use another guardian to defend the final room, Lady Songyi."

"Okay."

This wasn’t the first time Badon had been forcibly summoned. However, as Songyi looked at the spot where he had disappeared, she felt an unexplainable sense of anxiety.

---

Day 3 of the expedition.

[You have reached the 10th floor of Yuslan’s Ice Palace.]

[You have discovered the Cold Jade, the source of the Ice Palace.]

They had finally reached the summit. Clearing up to the ninth floor had been a considerable struggle, but the damage to his soldiers was minimal—a testament to how much Balak’s military strength had grown.

"Raviz, be on standby to summon at all times, just in case."

"Understood."

"Big Dream, if the one who appears is a ranged class, cast Black Mist immediately."

"I understand."

After giving separate instructions to the two, Taehyun positioned his soldiers. He had only brought a portion of his forces since he had to defend Balak, but their numbers still exceeded two thousand. Moreover, he had brought Eclat with him this time.

"I want to go back! Let me go back! Oof!"

Of course, the fact that she was terrified hadn’t changed at all. Taehyun looked at her with a pathetic expression and threatened, "If you don’t cast your special ability right now, I’m going to leave you here. Just so you know."

"Ooh... You’re so mean." She immediately stopped crying and cast Melody of Harmony.

[A-rank Named Mercenary Crybaby Eclat has cast the special ability ‘Melody of Harmony’.]

[All soldiers’ accuracy temporarily increases.]

[All soldiers’ health recovery rate temporarily increases.]

[All soldiers’ evasion temporarily increases.]

With this, the preparations were complete. Taehyun approached the Cold Jade with a hint of nervousness. At that moment, a fierce blizzard struck the inside of the room. The Cold Jade was emitting a powerful magic aura and summoning someone.

[Frost Queen’s Army Commander ‘Badon Pilameter’ has been summoned.]

[Due to the effects of the fierce blizzard, the movements of all Balak soldiers have slowed.]

A man appeared above the summoning circle. He casually rolled his shoulders and identified his opponent.

He fell silent.

Taehyun was also quiet.

A quiet silence fell as Badon and Taehyun faced each other. The first to react was the commander of the Frost Queen’s army.

"So it was you. I was wondering why the Frost Queen’s influence had been waning recently." Badon released his aura and took a battle stance.

Taehyun, protected by Ziegfried, let out a sigh. "So it’s you in the end. Well, that’s fine. I had to take care of you anyway. Larkan is going to love this."

"Larkan? Who’s that?"

"If you’ve forgotten, there’s nothing to be done. By the way, the Ice Palace was dormant in the Revived Plains. You didn’t even know that?" Taehyun sneered, taunting him. Badon had visited Balak once on a support request. The fact that he hadn’t recognized the palace’s presence then was absurd.

"Let’s see how long that composure of yours lasts."

"Raviz, summon them."

"Understood."

Raviz, who had been on standby, began casting summons one after another. As Balak’s main forces began to appear, Badon watched the situation calmly.

"Hmm. Is that all? It seems you’ve abandoned your territory."

"My supporters will manage it just fine."

"How absurd. Still, as a commander, I am grateful to have been summoned here. This way, I no longer have to worry about my master’s watchful eyes."

"The feeling’s mutual."

The conversation was over. All that remained was battle. Badon’s eyes flashed as he charged forward.