Gamers of the Underworld

[Ice-sealed Luochen: Sister Vanas is scary! How many Goblins did she kill to get such good archery skills? I have to seek a teacher in the game!]

[WingedWatcher: What is the name of your Guild? What about “Veteran Gamers Guild?”]

[SillyDude: Is it Sherlie’s birthday today?]

[WarHistorian: You can’t learn to be rich from Sister Vanas.]

[DestinyContract: Pants is a good person. I hate those who spoil other gamers’ experience.]

…

Sherlock finished reading NotWearingPants’ Strategy Guide. Though he knew that the gamers would publish the Strategy Guide, he didn’t expect the post to be so detailed and timely.

“Strength in unity. The Large Lizards aren’t very intelligent, so it’s only a matter of time before these terrifying apes reign supreme over the Large Lizards,” Bru said thoughtfully.

“Hmm, the efficiency is high,” Sherlock replied as he browsed the forum.

A small Black Dragon carried a cup of bloody chrysanthemum tea and sat opposite Sherlock. He drank the tea noisily.

Then Eggface looked at Sherlock, who was typing in front of the computer, and said, “I feel movement coming from the Dark. The murmuring of Hades has an incredible power coming from within me. I’m almost unable to stop it…”

“Tell me simply,” Sherlock said without lifting his head.

“I’m hungry. My stomach is rumbling,” Eggface lowered his head and said indignantly as his claws rubbed together nervously.

Sherlock peeped out from behind the computer and frowned.

“Why are you hungry again? Didn’t you eaten an hour ago?”

“The Dark King of the shimmering stars arose from a distant end. The pervasive Gods’ power gave enough…” Eggface opened up his two claws and said in exaggeration.

“Speak normally.”

“I’m growing, so I have to eat more,” Eggface said with a grievance.

Sherlock glanced at Eggface and stood up.

He extended his hand, gripped Eggface’s wings, and put him in the nook of his arm. Then he carried the fat Dragon to the door.

After opening the door, he gently threw Eggface to the ground and shut the door.

Eggface sat on the ground in a daze as a Goblin came over.

“Gosh, I received a mission to feed Eggface!”

“Bro, make good use of the opportunity! Choose the most tender part of the Lizard Meat. Eggface likes to listen to Goblins that speak immaturely. If he’s happy, he might help you reincarnate as a Houndhead Man!”

“6666”

…

Without Eggface around, the Dungeon Lord Main Hall became quiet and peaceful.

Sherlock inhaled in comfort. Then he noticed two letters and a newspaper.

The newspaper had the words “Winterfell Monthly Digest.”

Besides the advertisements, there were a few prominent pieces of news:

“Winterfell Garrison Guard Station Chief Resignation.”

“A fire broke out at Ancient Ruins No. 85. The place is in total ruins and has been cordoned off by the Merchant Alliance.”

…

Sherlock finished reading the newspaper and picked up the two letters.

“To Mr. Sherlock—Winterfell Archaeology Office”

“Respectable Mr. Sherlock:

After receiving this letter, please proceed to the Winterfell Office for an Archaeology section meeting regarding Ancient Ruins No. 85.”

“To Lord Sherlock—Winterfell Publicity Committee”

“Respectable Lord Sherlock:

Sorry to impose on you. Winterfell encountered unprecedented trouble. We hope to leverage on your power, specifically the Dungeon radiation perimeter and all the other Dungeons’ power. After receiving this letter, please proceed to the Winterfell Business Unit.

We’ll provide generous remuneration. Thank you for your help!—Winterfell Publicity Committee”

As Sherlock put down the letters, Bru asked puzzledly, “Didn’t they open up the Ancient Ruins and ensure that there were no treasures? Aren’t they giving up on the Ancient Ruins? Could it be Eggface’s family who caused the fire? After discovering that Eggface was missing, they followed the Rune Mana Formation to Ancient Ruins No. 85 to find him? When they couldn’t find Eggface, they waged war on Winterfell?”

“Let’s not discuss how Eggface messed up the Rune Mana Formation such that it’s not usable. If they were Eggface’s family members, they would go to the nearest Winterfell to report a missing child and publish a reward for finding him in the newspapers. Then they would send letters to all the nearby Dungeons to hand over their kid. Otherwise, the Dungeons would be destroyed. They wouldn’t incinerate the Ancient Ruins,” Sherlock said confidently.

“Er, is that how Black Dragons look for their kids?” Bru was surprised.

“There were instances of missing Black Dragon kids. They used such methods to locate their missing children. Most of them located their kids after publishing the notices in newspapers. As for why they would threaten the Dungeon Lords, it’s because only the Dungeon Lords would tempt the small Black Dragons to the Dungeons. Who would try to imprison a small Black Dragon? The food that he eats is enough to impoverish the treasury.”

Bru calculated Eggface’s recent food intake, and it was what Sherlock had said.

“What do we do, Lord Sherlock?”

“Of course, I’ll attend the meeting to see what it’s about.” Sherlock stood up and put on his windbreaker.

“Lord Sherlock, are you going there directly?” Bru suddenly asked.

“Is there a problem?” Sherlock frowned and asked.

“If you go there as Sherlock, there’s no problem, but if you’re going there as a Dungeon Lord, there’ll be other Dungeon Lords present. In this type of situation, it’s a good chance to showcase your capability, then you’ll have more chances for investment.”

Bru stopped for a while before saying, “You have to bring some servants that can showcase your power.”

…

On a Winterfell street, numerous well-equipped Beetlemons were stationed at the entrance of the Winterfell Business Unit.

There was a large red carpet placed at the entrance and a team of Werewolves acting as ceremonial guards.

They wore white armor with bright red feathered helmets. A single-handed sword was sheathed at their waists, and their hands held long spears and shields.

Many important guests arrived over the past few days. The guests were the Dungeon Lords from the nearby Dungeons.

A Devil Lord with an octopus head braced his chest. Behind him were twelve fully armored Orcs and Werewolves acting as bodyguards. They held a flag with an octopus insignia and enjoyed the envious and respectful gazes from the passersby.

The Devil Lord walked to the entrance, and a well-dressed Orc bowed respectfully to the Devil before leading him in.

There were many such Devil Lords arriving over the past few days. Their arrivals would invite gasps of astonishment from the gathered crowds.

As everyone was watching the arriving Dungeon Lords, a Beetlemon with the words “Winterfell Public Beetlemon No.12” on it came to a halt at the Beetlemon stop outside the Business Unit.

The door of the metal can above the Beetlemon’s shell opened, and a neat and stylish Devil appeared at the door. Then he walked down, followed by a wary Succubus, who was looking around nervously, and a Lich.

The last to step out were four Gnomes and a… Houndhead Man!

Strange green words appeared above their heads.

The equipment of the Gnomes and the Houndhead Man was simple and crude. The sticking point was the puzzling appearance of an insane creature like the Houndhead Man in Winterfell.

Nobody got off after them. The public Beetlemon shut its door and continued on its route.

The gathered crowd was in an uproar. The fearful crowd backed up two steps.

They were fearful of the Houndhead Man, who might attack the surrounding creatures recklessly.

While everyone was curious about the intent of these creatures, the four Gnomes and the Houndhead Man chatted wildly for a while before the Houndhead Man raised a flag.

The flag was made of simple and crude materials, but the diagram was a pleasant surprise. It was a rounded, small Black Dragon whose buttocks was sitting on the ground. It didn’t look formidable, but according to the words of the Eternal Kingdom citizens, they could recognize that it was the 1.5-meter Eggface.

“Who are these creatures?”

“Could they be from a Dungeon?”

“They have their flag insignia. I suppose so.”

“Is the superior Devil that poor?”

“That Lich looks familiar. Isn’t he Brainiac?”

“Impossible. Brainiac is at Eternal Fire, and the representatives from Eternal Fire just entered.”

“I feel embarrassed looking at them. I can’t understand them bringing the Houndhead Man here. And the equipment on the Gnomes is horrible…”

“They’re poor.”

“Thank goodness, there’s a Lich!”

The gathered crowd chatted, but they were quiet in the next instance.

It wasn’t because of Sherlock’s dominant aura. There was a small Black Dragon who flew and knocked into Sherlock’s arm before falling dazed to the ground.

A… Dungeon Lord who had a small Black Dragon?

“Is this Winterfell?” Eggface shook his head. He didn’t hide his Black Dragon identity and said, “Why didn’t you let me take the Beetlemon? It was tiring to fly all the way.”

Sherlock didn’t reply. He took big strides, and the Succubus and Brainiac followed him. The four Gnomes and the Houndhead Man chatted excitedly as they followed behind.

The Werewolf official at the entrance was stunned to see this motley crew. Before he spoke, Sherlock produced a letter.

“We received Winterfell’s request for help. I’m Eternal Kingdom’s Dungeon Lord—Sherlock.”