Gamers of the Underworld

[DistantFairyPath: The lousy game producers updated the Riding System secretly?]

[NightLanternBearer: The bird looks ugly.]

[StillAWolfKing: I feel Mr. Seal’s happiness, not (艹皿艹)]

[StruggleWithPants: Why did I not have Strange Encounters?]

[[ExCurryClub]: Ah—! I am so envious that I’m screaming like a Groundhog.]

…

Sherlock finished reading the replies of the post and hugged his arms as he pondered and said, “The gamers obtained the Darting Birds from the Marsh Inkspewers? The Lizards killed the Marsh Inkspewer’s tribe? The miserly Marsh Inkspewers are willing to give up their Darting Birds? It’s out of my expectations.”

“No, I feel that the Marsh Inkspewers aren’t giving the Darting Birds to the gamers. They were merely loaning them,” Bru smiled and said.

“But the gamers know about the Darting Birds. If the Marsh Inkspewers are unable to provide the Darting Birds, they will be exterminated by the gamers instead of the Large Lizards. This is the first instance of a personal ride in the game.”

“Hmm, it’s possible,” Sherlock nodded and said.

“But this is also a chance. If the gamers can obtain the trust of the Marsh Inkspewers, it’ll be a chance to have new gameplay. I have to take a look.”

Sherlock stood up. He intended to get his windbreaker, but he hesitated and decided not to. Bru said, “Eh? You aren’t updating the game version and contents? I feel it’s necessary to encourage the gamers to challenge the Instance Dungeon.”

“I feel that the Marsh Inkspewers are more interesting. It’s also a chance for the gamers to have leather products and train beasts in the future. The collection of resources requires the help of the natives. The Marsh Inkspewer tribe is a friendly and suitable ally,” Sherlock said.

“Moreover, the gamers will need some poetic Plots. I can also introduce new NPCs.”

Sherlock looked at his clothing and said, “I’ll have to change my clothing.”

…

The gamers gathered at Entrance No. 2 of Eternal Kingdom.

They chatted, made transactions, and fought with each other.

Within Eternal Kingdom’s premises, the gamers were unable to attack each other. After the start of the Second Beta Test, Sherlock prohibited them from fighting inside the Dungeon. All their excess energy should be geared towards carrying bricks!

However, there were no restrictions outside the Dungeon, so the gamers could fight among themselves at the Dungeon entrance.

“Place the flag! Someone, place the flag!”

“Let me do it!”

A bald Goblin, AmericanWildDog, shouted as he stepped out from the crowd.

Two Goblins started wrestling with each other.

They were Second Beta Gamers, so their wrestling wasn’t impressive.

At a location not far from Entrance No.2, Sherlock was disguised as an adventurer.

Sherlock was dressed in a classic aristocratic style with a blood-red cloak behind his back. He stood emotionless at Entrance No. 2. The gamers who wanted to touch him were immobilized once they got too close to him.

If not, Sherlock would have been buried by the Goblin horde.

At his side was the Black Dragon Eggface, whom he had used Mana to make invisible.

“What is placing the flag?” Eggface asked Sherlock.

Sherlock looked at Eggface and waited for a while as he listened to Bru’s explanation. Then he said, “It means duel.”

“Woah! The two Goblins have a personal feud!” Eggface nodded and lifted his head as he asked, “Your Lich servant has obtained my saliva, tears, mucus, and fingernails to do Houndhead Man research daily. I feel I have to be compensated! Give me the Book of the Dead. You are such a great Devil. You would have many of these legendary items.”

“Have you memorized your script?” Sherlock didn’t answer him but asked him another question.

“Humph! I’m the Dark Flaming Mana Lord, Dark Scorch Hot-Tempered Dragon, Guardian of Helling. They are merely Large Lizard tribes. I’ll appear, intimidate them, and they’ll flee in terror! How many Large Lizards are there?” Eggface asked as he stood akimbo.

“After multiplying for thousands of years, there are at least 200,000 to 300,000,” Sherlock said with uncertainty.

“2… 300,000?”

Eggface pinched his claws and said after a long time, “He, hehe! I’ll just need to recite my script, is that right? I haven’t memorized the script. Can I improvise?”

“Just get the gist of the script and use your own words. Perhaps, the effect will be better,” Sherlock said casually and then continued speaking, “Don’t be nervous. Just act like you did when you met the Goblins for the first time.”

The gamers who were gathered at the entrance created a commotion.

At the far end of the tunnel, four Darting Birds were running towards them rapidly.

The leader was a Marsh Inkspewer, followed by three Goblins, Dragonborn, TakeASpearHit, and SealHeadLingChong.

The gamers shouted wildly for a short while.

Then, Sherlock exerted his dominant aura and restrained them.

“Welcome, guest from afar. I’ve heard about your predicament from my citizens.” Sherlock walked out and welcomed the Marsh Inkspewer as he said, “As the Eternal Kingdom Dungeon Lord, I’m most willing to aid my neighbors.”

Salted Fish didn’t expect that a superior Devil would welcome him at the Dungeon entrance. He got down nervously from the Darting Bird and looked at the three Goblins behind him. They were chatting jovially just a moment ago, but they were currently motionless on the Darting Birds.

Salted Fish felt it was strange that the bubbly Goblins had gone quiet, but he quickly said to Sherlock, “Thank you, Devil Lord. My tribe is threatened by a group of despicable Large Lizards. Actually, the Large Lizards are also a threat to you. I have personally witnessed the Large Lizards killing your citizens two days ago. It was a grotesque sight!”

“That’s very grotesque. We’re willing to assist you. I feel that you should bring us to your tribe and construct a base for retaliation!” Sherlock clenched his fist and said vehemently.

“That’s great, Devil Lord!” Salted Fish mounted his Darting Bird and rode off excitedly. When he discovered nobody was following him, he came to a halt. He looked puzzled and stopped to wait.

Sherlock and the Goblins didn’t move an inch.

Sherlock turned his head and spoke to the gamers, “Citizens of Eternal Kingdom, the Marsh Inkspewers require our assistance. Follow me and attack the Large Lizards!”

Sherlock removed his dominant aura. In the minds of the gamers, a system notice created by Bru appeared:

[Gamers Dragonborn, TakeASpearHit, and SealHeadLingChong successfully triggered the Area Mission—Marsh Inkspewer’s Request for Help]

[Marsh Inkspewer’s Request for Help

Mission Description: After opening up Eternal Kingdom, we met with trouble. Large numbers of Large Lizards occupied our newly opened tunnels and threatened the Marsh Inkspewers. The Large Lizards will create a calamity beyond imagination. Lord Sherlock decided to help the Marsh Inkspewers, who may become our allies.

Mission Objective: Help the Marsh Inkspewers exterminate the Large Lizards.]

There was nothing else.

There was no mention of rewards, but the gamers knew from the description that it was a newly opened Area Mission and that there was no mention of it on the official website.

The experienced gamers had played many online games. What gimmicks had they not seen?

This must be the kind of Area Mission that required everybody’s effort to achieve the objective!

The unrestrained gamers howled as they went after the Darting Birds.

Yes, they were going for the Darting Birds.

The few hundred gamers surrounded and gazed at Salted Fish.

Salted Fish looked nervous until a gamer shouted, “Gosh! Don’t attack!”

“I can’t attack either! Seems like he’s an ally.”

“It’s a pity. I was thinking of stealing his Darting Bird.”

“TakeASpearHit! Dragonborn! Are your Darting Birds for sale?”

“I’ll pay 100,000 Renminbi for your bird!”

…

The group of gamers chatted loudly.

They surrounded gamers with the Darting Birds and pleaded with them to sell the birds.

No gamers attacked the three of them. Though gamers were described as the fourth natural disaster, to NPCs and gamers, destroying another gamer’s experience was strictly prohibited. It was stated in the Dungeon law and the new version updates.

Salted Fish looked on with a daze. He lowered his head and pondered.

Perhaps, it was a way for Eternal Kingdom to welcome their friends?