Gamers of the Underworld

“You are saying that, besides healing and reviving the Goblins, I have to protect the Rune Mana Formation, provide Teleport Services, and help the Goblins in the exploration of the Ancient Ruins? For example, solving a difficult labyrinth, overcoming the Magical Boundary, and the disabling of the Magical Traps? Lord Sherlock, is that what you mean by overtime?” Brainiac asked.

“I know it’s going to be tough. As you’ve just graduated, you should emphasize on your personal growth instead of going for a cushy job. This assignment will be beneficial to your growth. You will learn more and gain experience. Don’t thank me, this is your reward,” Sherlock said earnestly.

“If you don’t have other matters, you may go out and do your preparations.”

Brainiac kept quiet for a while. Then, he lifted his head and said, “I understand. If I encounter Magical Traps or Boundaries, I might need some expensive Magical Ingredients to disable them…”

“After completing the work in the Ancient Ruins, I’ll give you two days of research. The conditions and limits are the same as last time,” Sherlock said frankly as he lifted two of his fingers.

“Five days!”

“Two days.”

“Three days!”

“Two days.”

“Deal.”

Brainiac left, his lonely figure receding into the background. Some gamers followed Brainiac, some stayed at the Dungeon Lord Main Hall entrance, and some gamers were in a hurry to complete the preparations for the new area missions.

Sherlock activated his computer to browse the discussion forum. His version update announcement had barely been posted for 30 minutes, but it had garnered thousands of replies.

[Ice-sealed Luochen: Is there customer service? Why am I unable to access the official website? I want to register for the Second Beta!]

[Rock Candy Fruit: Beautiful? Are you referring to Eternal Kingdom? From the screen captures of the Beta Testers, isn’t the place dirty and desolate?]

[Legendary Cabbage: Is updating the missions that casual? (╯‵□′)╯(┻━┻]

[American Wild Dog: When are you opening up work professions? I am expressing my intense desire for self-designed equipment. I have drafted various designs: Goblin Armored Cars, Goblin Sea Urchin Armor, and Goblin Landing Pods]

[Shark’s coming: I’m watching the inventor from the previous reply. Quickly obtain Second Beta Gamer status and the Pioneer alias]

[Metal-skinned Ape: Is there a time limit for purchasing chickens and horses in the Second Beta? I’m willing to pay any price!]

[Apollo God: I registered for the Second Beta. I am extremely active in the discussion forum. Please award me Beta Tester status (‘Д`)]

[Having Importance: Suikazan Buttocks has registered for battle! For Eternal Kingdom!]

[MikeScare: Why has nobody discussed the new content seriously? Why is nobody curious about items not replenishing in the new area? The lousy game producers are cheating!]

[Stay away from me: Is this not proof that the lousy game producers are checking the forum openly? And they are expecting us to think of ideas for them? I am feeling extremely sour… give me my Beta Tester status and I will pretend nothing has happened.]

[Dashed Dream’s Ash: No, we only care about the Second Beta.]

…

Sherlock browsed through the gamers’ replies. Most of them supported the new updates.

With Brainiac accompanying the gamers to enter the Ancient Ruins, Sherlock was relieved. He only needed to wait for the gamers to carry the treasures to the Rune Mana Formation.

He had to make arrangements for the preparatory missions. Sherlock pondered for a while. He left the Dungeon Core Main Hall and walked towards the Carpenter Workshop.

…

“I’m purchasing a Bone Backpack!”

The Goblin, Peasant, held in his hands, Dire Wolf Skin, Spider Silk, and Killer Vines as he looked at Mufasa.

In Peasant’s mind, a Bank interface that was designed by Bru deducted 100 bronze coins from his account. Peasant grabbed a backpack that was made of bones, Spider Silk, Dire Wolf Skin, and Killer Vines from the sales rack.

Though it was ugly, it was still a backpack.

There was a long queue outside the Carpenter Workshop. Mufasa’s job was to prepare meals. The previously free Mufasa was now busy.

The reason was that the gamers received preparatory missions for the new area, the Ancestral Ruins.

[Mission Title: Preparation work before entering the Ancestral Ruins (Group)

Mission Description: To protect the treasure in the Ancestral Ruins, you have to make sufficient preparations. Go and find Mufasa at the Carpenter Workshop and follow his instructions.

Mission Objective: Collect Spider Silk (0/200), Collect Dire Wolf Skin (0/400), Collect Killer Vines (0/200)

Mission Reward: You will obtain Reputation Points and coins after submitting the materials]

Mufasa used the gathered materials to make Bone Backpacks and Bone Carts, which were to be used to carry and transport items.

The Bone Backpack had become Eternal Kingdom’s standard equipment. After the gamers obtained a Bone Backpack, they could see the attributes.

[Bone Backpack (Ordinary White Equipment)]

Weight: 0.5

Durability: 5

Capacity: 10 units of weight

Item Description: It is not a very sturdy backpack and is made by various organic materials. It might run out of stock.

Usage Requirement: There is no requirement for Reputation. Each gamer is limited to two backpacks.

Item Price: 1 unit of Spider Silk, 2 Dire Wolf Skin, 1 Killer Vine, 100 bronze coins.

Quantity: While stock lasts. Check the sales rack in the Carpenter Workshop.

The Bone Cart cost three times as much as the Bone Backpack. The capacity was also three times as much. Each gamer was limited to one Bone Cart.

Though it was expensive, the gamers liked to have their own backpacks and even transportation carts. They took out their stockpiled materials and rushed to the Carpenter Workshop to exchange them for the required items.

The gamers had thought of making their own items, but Mufasa had professional tools and magical craftsmanship. The gamers decided to purchase from Mufasa as they would be wasting the materials if they made the items themselves.

The gamers weren’t giving up. Hemp Rope Technology said, “No problem. Once we have what we need, we’ll make our own pulley system, hoists, and tram cars!”

For the current situation, the gamers had to depend on the NPCs.

Whether it was the small cart or backpacks, they would be immediately purchased when Mufasa finished making them. If there was no purchase limit, the items would be completely out of stock.

Restricting the amount one person could purchase was Bru’s suggestion.

“If you don’t take precautions against these otherworld gamers, the merchant gamers will use various ways to buy the limited backpacks and carts. These merchant gamers will then sell them at two to three times the price. Gamers who are unhappy with the black market behavior of the merchant gamers will rob and kill since there are no laws and punishments. The merchant gamers will employ powerful gamers as bodyguards. Then, there will be huge fighting factions formed within the gamers. Lord Sherlock, you have to take note of situations that might cause unrest.”

Bru’s words reminded Sherlock that after the Second Beta, there would be many more gamers. Though they were servants and brought along many benefits, there were also problems. Like what Bru had pointed out. If he wasn’t careful, the Dungeon would descend into chaos. To Sherlock, maintaining order in the Dungeon was a top priority.

It was necessary to prepare similar systems like law and punishment. Sherlock wondered if there were any computer games he could use for research.

…

The second day after the Version 0.05 Update was announced, the gamers had completed the Preparations, Ancestral Ruins mission. Sherlock was amazed by the speed of completion. The main reason was that many Beta Gamers stockpiled large quantities of materials to make a profit selling in the Second Beta.

To complete the Preparations, Ancestral Ruins mission fast and obtain the backpack and cart at the earliest opportunity, the gamers took out their stockpiled materials.

On the second day, a group of about 90 gamers was formed, and they waited at the entrance of the Teleport Portal Main Hall.

Right as the last Spider Silk was submitted by a gamer, Sherlock and Brainiac walked over.

Brainiac remained emotionless, and Sherlock was solemn.

Sherlock walked to the side of the Rune Mana Formation and said seriously, “Warriors, you have made haste. I believe we’re in time to protect the Ancestral Ruins from complete destruction. Let’s go in! Are you ready, Warriors?”

The gamers shouted excitedly, motivated by Sherlock. What they were shouting about, however, was something messy and nonsensical.

There were many Goblins, and the shouting wasn’t clear.

Brainiac stood emotionless. He lowered his head and pondered deeply.

Is there anyone else coming for the Ancient Ruins?

As Brainiac was considering the question, Sherlock activated the Rune Mana Formation. With the flashing of white rays, Sherlock and Brainiac, who were standing on the Rune Mana Formation, vanished. The excited gamers walked into the formation and vanished.

Inside the Goblin crowd, the Black Armored Arthur checked his equipment for the final time. He carried the Merchant Band’s small backpack on his back and the newly purchased Bone Backpack in front of his chest. He turned around and said to NotWearingPants, Peasant, Sylvanas, and BurningChestHair, who were also carrying backpacks on their front and back, “Go, we’re moving out!”