It was the seventeenth dimension, Tainworth.

Centered around the Astral Continent, it was a harmonious world composed of the Human, Spirit, Celestial, and Demonic Realms—all forged through the authority of the Supreme God.

Unlike other dimensions, Tainworth contained dungeons and maintained order across the continent through the use of Attackers.

The Attackers' abilities were powers bestowed solely by the Supreme God. The same applied to the Attacker Association, which operated in the Supreme God's name.

Originally, dungeons were simply monster lairs formed by natural phenomena, but a single incident divided them into two distinct types.

That incident was the war between the Demonic and Celestial Realms.

It was one of the tragedies that unfolded the moment Kraktio, a top-tier demon, reached the state of a demigod and ascended as the Demonic King.

Kraktio's true objective was to surpass his demigod status and become a god who managed the dimension. To achieve perfection, he intended to subjugate the Archangel Captain.

However, the balance collapsed due to the Attackers Kamiel had summoned, causing his attempt to end in failure.

"Do you even realize what you have done, wench? To forcefully connect the Human World and the Celestial Realm...It's only a matter of time before the dimension's balance collapses!"

It was a world the Supreme God Excellia had separated to maintain balance.

It was only natural that a Dimensional Rift would form if the continent's passages, which maintained order through dungeon conquests, were forcefully opened.

Kraktio poured most of his Divine Power into closing the rift that tore through the sky, but it was useless.

Even the low-tier god who managed the Tainworth dimension had appeared within the Demonic King's castle to address the severity of the situation.

Kamiel, the instigator of the entire incident, only realized her mistake then, but it was already too late.

"Y-You are?!"

"After wandering in the long, long abyss, I have finally escaped. Although I was cursed by the gods and abandoned by the Divine Realm, I can start over now. First, I will take your Authority of the Dimension!"

The God of Desire, Beirimp, had brought chaos to the orderly Divine Realm.

He was a god who had once reached the level of a mid-tier god and managed a dimension, only to be exiled into the abyss after committing a grave sin.

However, the Dimensional Rift allowed Beirimp to slip into Tainworth.

The low-tier god Peto tried to use the Authority of the Dimension to banish him back into the abyss, but the mid-tier god's Divine Power rejected the attempt.

In the end, right before being annihilated, Peto had to settle for barely placing a restriction on Beirimp.

"Useless effort! Once I obtain this dimension, I can lift the restriction on my Divine Power as well. Foolish wretch. Your struggling until the bitter end is truly pathetic."

"As you said, the restriction will be lifted if you obtain the dimension, but doing this will at least buy some time. You will never obtain this dimension."

The dimension was distorted by the rift, on the verge of having its contact with the outside severed. To stop the restricted God of Desire, Peto had to buy as much time as possible.

By nature, even if a Dimension Manager was annihilated, their authority did not disappear.

Peto used that fact to split his authority in two. One half was a partial authority that could not perfectly interfere with the continent and the world itself.

The other half was the remaining authority that acted as a key to becoming a complete Dimension Manager.

These two divided authorities seeped into beings the God of Desire, Beirimp, could never have expected.

"You angels...you ended up summoning humans and caused this disaster!"

"Aaaargh! My soul!"

"Archangel Captain, Duke Nikunbel has launched a surprise attack with high-ranking demons. Huh? The Demonic King has fallen?!"

Demons and angels crossed paths. Amidst the chaos, the two authorities seeped into the bodies of Nikunbel and Demonic King Kraktio.

Furthermore, Kraktio's soul, which held the key, was absorbed into the body of Archangel Captain Kamiel, forcing them into coexistence.

The Archangels declared a retreat while fending off the high-ranking demons' surprise attack, leaving Kamiel with no choice but to return to the Celestial Realm.

Fortunately, the Dimensional Rift that had torn open the sky was barely sealed, but Tainworth's dimension was already severely distorted.

Because of this, the remaining gods of the Divine Realm were reduced to descending merely in form through other lifeforms or relics holding their energy. Meanwhile, the managers of other dimensions fell into an abyss where they could no longer interfere.

"Ah, Demonic King Kraktio!"

"You are the demon who obtained a portion of the authority. Rest assured. Demonic King Kraktio is not dead. His soul merely slipped out and was sealed away. From now on, I will guide you."

"...A portion of the authority?"

"Indeed. Allow me to introduce myself. I am the mid-tier god Beirimp. You have obtained a portion of the dimension's authority. If you pledge your loyalty to me, I will elevate you to the state of a demigod."

Unable to forcefully seize the dimension, Beirimp approached Nikunbel, who held a portion of the authority, and came to rule the Demonic Realm through him.

The priority target that needed dealing with was Demonic King Kraktio.

However, if Kraktio, trapped in Kamiel's body, were released from his seal, Beirimp would have to face his worst enemy: a fellow holder of the dimension's authority.

Left with no choice, Beirimp co-opted Kamiel and began to formulate a plan.

The first thing they needed were beings to act as their proxies, as it was nearly impossible for them to directly interfere with the dimension.

"Use the authority of the Supreme God. That is, the Creator. Create the pieces needed for the plan entirely through the methods of another dimension."

"Summon humans from the third dimension, Mordanier, to set the board. They will bring chaos to the continent and move according to the plan."

"Summon three individuals imbued with a portion of the authority sequentially. Pick out those with the most outstanding talent, capable of dealing with the obstacles on the continent, and nurture them. Although they too will end up on the list of candidates to be disposed of, it doesn't matter. They will bite and tear at each other and self-destruct on their own anyway."

The method proposed by the God of Desire was a relationship structure between Dungeon Masters and Attackers using a game-like system.

To deal with the targets currently remaining on the continent and in the Celestial Realm, pieces that would move on their behalf were essential.

As a result, Duke Nikunbel extracted information on each Dungeon Master through Demonic Realm gatherings. He began to foster their growth and weed them out by introducing various events and new systems.

Furthermore, through the three chosen players instructed in advance, they successfully eliminated their targets step by step.

"Mihye Han, who is in charge of the Tarantula Faction, will proactively move for Taehyun from now on."

"Oh my. I liked him from the start, so that works out well. I hope you keep your promise."

Lastly, they created the Tarantula Faction to oppose the Resistance aiming to conquer the Demonic Realm, thereby growing Balak as much as possible. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Thus, after finally going through the faction wars and finishing the cleanup, all that remained were the followers who served the gods and the remnants of a few deities.

Although a few unexpected variables had arisen, the plan proceeded step by step without any major hitches.

Ultimately, through Leon van Noah's death, they mobilized the four SS-rank Dungeon Masters they had prepared in advance, successfully eliminating the followers of the gods.

Now, all that remained was the self-destruction of Pilseus, who had received all the Evil Dragon's Energy at once.

Hiding Taehyun's true abilities, Nikunbel ordered the elimination of the God of Nature, Ameria, successfully managing to have Pilseus self-destruct alongside her.

"Now, if we have Kamiel, who is coexisting with Kraktio's soul, self-annihilate through Eclat, whom Taehyun possesses, all plans will end successfully. Nikunbel, are there any variables?"

"Taehyun's psychological changes, the Demonic Orb of the non-humans, the limits of special abilities, Valpurgis, Balak's Guardian Grai, and the Spirit Master of Mana, Dien."

"Promise Taehyun a Return to Modern Earth and make him eliminate Kamiel. For someone whose goal has been returning home since his early days, he will never be able to refuse."

It was a plan that had been in motion for a whopping twenty years. Now, it was time to bear fruit.

Thus, Duke Nikunbel called Kamiel separately and waited for his final guest, Taehyun.

---

[The SSS-rank Guardian, Evil Dragon Kadumallian, has cast Annihilation.]

[Sentences the designated targets to death.]

[Unaffected by skills and special abilities during casting.]

A portion of the middle floor disappeared. It was the Annihilation skill of the Evil Dragon that had been wandering the abyss with the God of Desire, Beirimp.

"Taehwan is dead. My boy is dead! Why on earth did you make it so I couldn't summon him? Duke Nikunbel. I'll never forgive you. I will never forgive you!"

"The Nikunbel you seek is nowhere to be seen. First, I shall recharge my mana for a moment. It seems I have reached my limit."

"What? Hurry up and kill more of them. That bastard Nikunbel must have gone up to the top floor. We don't have time for this!"

"Don't make me laugh. It was you who ordered me to pour all the Necrotic Energy I possessed into Pilseus. Do not think you can complain to me about it now."

It was Pilseus whose rank had been forcibly raised through the Evil Dragon's Chains.

Because Chahee tried to reduce the penalties entirely through the Necro-Engraving, she had no choice but to transfer most of Kadumallian's energy. Now, the dragon was in a state where it could only cast the Annihilation skill a few more times.

Chahee could not utter a single word of rebuttal and looked up at the Archangels.

"Ugh, it's hard to deal with those bastards without you. Hurry up and refill your mana, you bone-headed dragon!"

"...It would be best not to test my patience."

"Shut up. Shut up. I said shut up!"

The Evil Dragon that had driven other dimensions into despair had somehow been reduced to being repeatedly kicked by a young girl.

---

[The small city of Myol has become unrecoverable.]

[Balak's territory has suffered severe damage.]

[The passages within the territory have become unrecoverable.]

[The second entrance to Balak has been destroyed.]

[The entrance to Balak's Labyrinth has been destroyed.]

[The entrance to Heimdall has been destroyed.]

[The dungeon residents in the small city of Myol are wailing.]

The interior of the territory was burning.

The forest that served as the combat zone, the small city where the dungeon residents lived, and even the other dungeons were all in an unrecoverable state.

All of this destruction was caused by just one person.

"This is right on the verge of total annihilation. Balak can no longer be called the center of the West." He let out a heavy sigh.

Thick cigarette smoke filled the room. He was an old fox who had once harbored a certain plan under Count Dinen.

However, he was now nothing more than an NPC clicking his tongue within the crumbling dungeon. Gelix smoked his cigarette as he looked at Regia, who appeared from the opposite side.

"...How could this happen? Just who invaded to make it like this? W-Wait. Brother Arthur?!"

"It seems you've just noticed. As you can see, Princess, almost all of the Main Forces are dead. There is probably no hope left for Balak now."

"Keep your mouf thut! Balak ithn't over yet!"

It was Grai, who had protected Balak from its early days until it became an SS-rank dungeon.

Now, as the guardian of Balak, having even stopped Pilseus, he could not accept such an end.

"Aaaaah. Brother. Brother!"

"...I want to believe your words, but looking at his state, it seems that will be difficult too."

The gazes of the three turned to Taehyun.

He had become a Dungeon Master who, despite creating an SS-rank dungeon through two special abilities and stopping the Absolute, ultimately lost most of his Main Forces.

'It was always like this. Dungeon Master bastards always killed others without dirtying their own hands.'

'Killing others. Stealing what they had. They only enjoyed themselves from the backlines while working their soldiers to the bone. They never even thought of doing anything themselves.'

'Ruthless bastards. No, you can't even be considered ruthless. Can you really be seen as atrocious? You bastards who just watch from behind every day and hide like cowards!'

Suddenly, Baron Coris, the lord of Myol, came to mind.

Back then, he denied it, saying it was a struggle to return to modern Earth, but now even that meaning had faded.

Taehyun examined the corpses on the floor with an empty gaze.

From Hyena to Songyi, Mederia, Angelina, Liashu, Hendy, Sihan, Turner, Tartarus, the High Elves, the Beastmen Chiefs, and so on.

They had all become cold corpses occupying the space.

"How long are you going to sit there like that? Wasn't the Demonic King the demons' final target? If you were going to despair to this extent, I wouldn't have placed any expectations on you in the first place." Gelix clicked his tongue. "Pathetic."

Taehyun remained silent.

"Here, smoke this and think it over carefully."

A pack of cigarettes fell in front of him. Gelix waved his hand lightly and headed back to his room.

'...Final target, the Demonic King candidate competition, Demonic King Kraktio. And the elimination target.'

Life slowly began to return to his eyes.

As Regia's cries echoed within the final room, Pilseus's advice came to mind.

Taehyun took a cigarette from the pack and put it in his mouth.

"...Fucking bastard. Leaving without even giving me a light."

It was a cigarette he hadn't smoked even once since his dimensional transfer. The smell itself was repulsive, but putting it in his mouth gave him a familiar feeling.

Taehyun took out an artifact from his inventory and lit it. With a soft sizzle, thick smoke rose. Cigarette in his mouth, Taehyun stood up.

"Raviz. What about the permanent teleportation magic circle on the Naksen Plains?"

"It is still active."

"Good. We're moving immediately."

"With these numbers, you mean?"

The only Main Forces left now were Grai, Dropin, Raviz, Dien, and Eclat.

Even if he had become an SS-rank Dungeon Master, entering the Celestial Realm with this kind of fighting power was a suicidal act.

However, Taehyun nodded and issued a forced command.

"We leave immediately. You guys wait until I return. If I can't make it back, you're in charge of Balak from now on."

"W-What are you saying? I, Kinjo, believe without a doubt that you will return, Master!"

"Of course, I feel the same way. Please have a safe trip."

"It has been a great honor to be Balak's Supporter. Master Taehyun...Oof!"

The firm loyalty of his Supporters was conveyed to him. Taehyun smiled bitterly and stepped onto the teleportation magic circle.

---

[Discovered a gate leading to the Celestial Realm.]

In the middle of the devastated plains, a large dimensional wall was visible. It was a gate activating a passage through the mana cores embedded everywhere.

Taehyun checked the Exclusive Items and Contracts in his inventory, finishing his final preparations.

"We're going in now. Everyone, brace yourselves."

"I will even thacrifith my life for my lord!"

"It'd be a waste to back down after coming this far. I'll trust and follow you."

"Same here, Master."

"M-Me too! O-Of course, the Celestial Realm is a bit off-putting, but still."

Their relationship stats had already reached their limits. Having shown their resolve as Balak's Main Forces by stopping even Pilseus, this was even more true.

Now that the final chapter was about to unfold with the Celestial Realm as the stage, there was nothing left to hesitate about.

Taehyun nodded and entered the gate.

[Entered the Celestial Realm Pletas.]

[Transported to the Celestial Crystal Palace, the top floor of Pletas.]

Soon, the sight inside a spacious room was revealed.

The Celestial Crystal Palace was the top floor of the tower, said to be accessible only to top-tier angels and above.

Judging by the table located in the center, it appeared to be a space primarily used for meetings.

"You've finally arrived. I've been waiting for you."

"I suppose that guy is Balak's Dungeon Master you mentioned. And the angel behind him...must be the new Archangel Captain."

No one spoke.

The gazes of the three crossed. Duke Nikunbel, who was behind all the plans, and Archangel Captain Kamiel, who managed the Celestial Realm.

And finally, Dungeon Master Taehyun, who had survived the Absolute. The key figures who would decide the fate of the Tainworth dimension were all gathered in one place.

Looking at Duke Nikunbel, Taehyun asked abruptly.

"Where is that guy called Demonic King Kraktio?"