Gamers of the Underworld

Evelynn left the Dungeon Lord Main Hall looking miserable, as though she was feeling anxious over something.

She walked in the tunnel that was filled with many Goblins, Gnomes, and silly-looking Houndhead Men. She wasn’t bothered by the harmless stalking of the creatures. She was pondering while she walked into the Auction Hall.

A Houndhead Man came to deposit a pile of wood for consignment sale. She didn’t write anything. Instead, she was in deep thoughts.

“Missy Succubus, how are you? You don’t look alright…”

Evelynn sighed and said, “Ah, it’s actually like this…”

…

At the Blacksmith Shop in Eternal Kingdom.

Simba put away his tools as it was time to knock off. A handsome Houndhead Man was pleading with him.

“Mentor! Can you let me use the Blacksmith Shop? I have equipment that I have to forge!”

Simba was taken aback and asked, “Why?”

“To protect an important person, even if it takes my life. Please! Mentor!”

The Houndhead Man knelt down, and Simba patted his shoulders as he said, “I understand you, you’re doing it for a woman. I don’t know why you have taken a fancy to the Houndhead Woman. You must love her deeply, otherwise why would you be doing such things? Buck up. I’m going back to rest.”

Simba passed the key to the Houndhead Man and left.

Two Gnomes ran into the Blacksmith Shop. They were TakeASpearHit and Dragonborn.

“Wah! Settled?” TakeASpearHit asked warily as he looked in the direction that Simba had gone. Out of habit, he talked softly even after Simba had left.

“Settled! Don’t you know who I am?” the Houndhead Man, SealHeadLingChong, said proudly. He started preparing for the Blacksmithing work.

“You’re awesome. You’re indeed a beluga.”

Dragonborn couldn’t help praising him and said, “What kind of a Strange Encounter Mission did you obtain from the Succubus NPC? You’re forging equipment that is suitable for going out with Sherlie?”

SealHeadLingChong frowned as he said, “No, it’s complicated. It has to be durable and pretty. Stylish and yet with strong protective capability. It seems like she isn’t able to go to Winterfell freely. There might be a fight if she does.”

“So it’s a battle dress, isn’t it? TakeASpearHit asked, “What are the rewards?”

“No rewards,” SealHeadLingChong spread out his hands and said.

“What? There must be some rewards for a Strange Encounter Mission, don’t you think so? Aren’t you on the losing end if there are no rewards?” Dragonborn asked in disbelief.

“What loss? Evelynn said she’ll be grateful to me and repay me when she’s able to! There is no reward now, but it doesn’t mean there is no reward in the future!” SealHeadLingChong said excitedly.

“Wah, Bro, you’re like a fawning dog. I thought a beluga like you wouldn’t be a fawning dog.” TakeASpearHit teased SealHeadLingChong.

“I’ll have my well-deserved reward in the end. You don’t understand.”

SealHeadLingChong asked, “Did you bring the armor? I’ve eyeballed Evelynn’s measurements, I’ll have to use at least six pieces of Gnome-sized armor.”

“Gosh! That many?” TakeASpearHit was stunned, but he brought in the armor from outside.

The three of them started working.

…

In Eternal Kingdom Dungeon.

Sherlock wore normal daily clothing with a black windbreaker. He opened the door and walked towards the Teleport Portal Main Hall.

The Teleport Portal Main Hall was surrounded by many gamers who were talking enthusiastically.

“Gosh, what’s up? When I got online, why did the Succubus come over to the Teleport Portal?”

“Is her dress part of a system update?”

“No, it was made by some gamers.”

“That’s genius. Who can think of making such armor? Was it done by the life connoisseur gamer?”

“Cool, super cool.”

“Where did they obtain the colored materials?”

“They borrowed from Brainiac who lent them immediately.”

“Gosh, Brainiac has this functionality?”

“It’s a Strange Encounter Mission, after all.”

“Sherlie’s here!”

Someone shouted loudly. Then the gamers saw Sherlock coming from behind, and they gave way.

Sherlock saw Evelynn, who was standing by the Teleport Portal Main Hall.

She was wearing a blue dress with a long white skirt and a silver Breastplate which had blue designs and lines. The Breastplate wasn’t able to protect the shoulders and arms, so she was equipped with silver Pauldrons, Couters, and Gauntlets

On both sides of her skirt were two pieces of sheet metal armor that didn’t have any protective value.

Evelynn pinched her hands and stood nervously at the entrance. She was probably made nervous by the group of surrounding gamers.

Sherlock noticed her strange outfit and frowned.

“I didn’t expect her to be dressed like Saber,” Bru commented and kept quiet.

“What’s that?” Sherlock asked.

“Ah, a character in a comic, Fate Stay Night. Is Lord Sherlock interested?”

“Let me finish Gundam first.” Sherlock walked over and made an invitation gesture as he said, “Let’s go.”

He had many things to buy, so he didn’t want to waste time. As for Evelynn’s strange outfit, he didn’t think it was a big deal.

“Good, good, Lord Sherlock.”

Evelynn followed closely behind.

The gamers were unable to speak because of Sherlock’s dominant aura, but after they left, they chatted excitedly.

“Gosh! The game official is going on a date!”

“What’s that? Are Sherlie and the Succubus together? I won’t believe they’re together!”

“That’s preposterous! My Missy Succubus!”

“My hubby was stolen by that b*tch!”

“No, I have to create a post immediately.”

“Waaaa-!”

…

Sherlock wasn’t aware that the gamers were chatting excitedly over what they saw. When they exited the Winterfell Teleport Portal Main Hall and walked on the streets, they attracted many head-turns and stares.

The strange battle dress attracted many curious head-turns and stares.

“Lord Sherlock… apologies…”

As she was attracting too much attention, Evelynn was embarrassed.

“You didn’t do anything wrong, but the dress…” Sherlock looked at Evelynn and asked.

“A kind-hearted Houndhead Man and a few Gnomes helped me make the dress. Since we were coming to Winterfell, I wanted a protective dress. But I don’t have armor, so…” Evelynn said in a soft voice.

“I understand. Let’s go, we have lots of things to buy.”

The shopping list included Yoda’s requirements, some food, and Dungeon necessities, like a medicine concoction platform.

Sherlock brought Evelynn to the Bazaar.

“Good, Lord Sherlock.”

Evelynn dragged her feet and followed Sherlock.

…

At the Winterfell Dungeon Core, which was a prohibited area.

The guards at the prohibited area surveyed their surroundings warily.

This was the location in Winterfell with the highest security. Only the most vigilant guards had the qualifications to be on duty at this location.

Low murmurs were heard by their ears.

A tall figure whose body was shrouded with gray Mana darted past the guards who became absent-minded. He made his way towards the Winterfell Dungeon Core.

The crimson Dungeon Core was burning with magical flames, providing Winterfell with the energy required for operation.

The tall figure looked at the Dungeon Core, then extended his hand that was filled with gray Mana…