Gamers of the Underworld

On the desolate ground that was filled with black rocks, besides illumination from the fluorescent grass, there were no other sources of light.

A few Gnomes hid behind the rocks as they looked warily at a distant village.

TakeASpearHit surveyed the sides carefully. Beside him, SealHeadLingChong and Dragonborn were peeking over the rocks to observe the village in front. Two Ogres who looked like guards were lazing at the entrance.

Occasionally, some Beetlemons entered and exited the village.

“Did you count the number of Ogres?” TakeASpearHit asked Dragonborn and SealHeadLingChong nervously.

“How can we see the Ogres clearly? It looks like the Ogres are working,” Dragonborn said, bewildered.

“I saw Ogres with safety helmets entering and exiting the village.”

“Safety helmets? This game has safety helmets? Don’t joke with me.”

TakeASpearHit was puzzled. SealHeadLingChong said quickly, “Spying from here is of no use. This must be the work of the CoderMonkeys. Perhaps when we leave, there will be a few hundred Ogres reinforcing the village.”

TakeASpearHit and Dragonborn nodded in agreement.

A Beetlemon appeared suddenly at the village entrance. A tall cloaked figure dismounted from the Beetlemon. There were a few Orc bodyguards escorting the cloaked figure.

The Orcs looked fiercely at the Ogres, who gazed back solemnly.

The tall cloaked figure didn’t stay long. He entered the village and disappeared from view.

While Dragonborn, TakeASpearHit, and SealHeadLingChong were wondering about the incident, a gray cloaked figure appeared out of nowhere like a spirit. He hugged his knees, squatted beside them, and said, “It’s an unexpected discovery.”

“Holy cow!”

They were shocked by the sudden voice. They turned around and discovered that it was Sherlock.

“You are very brave, warriors. You must be daring and willing to sacrifice. If you continue like this, we’ll never gain intelligence.”

Sherlock looked firmly at them and said, “Are you willing to sacrifice your lives for the Underworld’s peace and safety?”

“We’re willing!”

“Whatever it is, we’re willing!”

TakeASpearHit and SealHeadLingChong stood up and shouted, while Dragonborn nodded firmly.

“Good, you are now employed by Eternal Kingdom’s Non-Existing Intelligence Organization!” Sherlock announced and looked at them.

“Come, I’ll teach you how to exchange your life for intelligence. This is the basic operation of the Non-Existing Intelligence Organization.”

…

Apple’s village wasn’t large. There were only 20 to 30 families. After the Ogres occupied the village, the Orcs were driven out. Apple brought most of the young Orcs to Winterfell to find help.

The Ogres fenced up the village and started digging. They excavated a large pit and were still digging.

Compared to the construction sites in the civilized Underworld, the Ogres didn’t have safety reminders and banners, but they did wear safety helmets.

The black-cloaked figure that was escorted by Orc guards walked into the construction site and headed to the tent area at the back.

A few Ogres received them.

The cloaked figure walked into a large tent.

The Orc guards stayed outside the tent and stood guard with the Ogres.

In the tent were various ornaments made of teeth and bone. There was a huge Dragon skull at the far end of the tent.

A bulky Ogre that was twice the size of a normal Ogre sat on the throne. He held a roasted hoof that was wrapped in clay and covered with oily mud. The shiny orange-red color made the food look tasty. The thick, fragrant clay flavor made one salivate. The soft texture of the meat was very delicious.

The fat Ogre chewed a mouthful of meat and swallowed the clay covering the hoof. The soft clay dissolved in his mouth and mixed with the hoof oil flavored mud. The taste emanated from his mouth, and he looked content.

“Lord Andrew, welcome!” the large Ogre said warmly.

The black figure lifted his cloak and revealed a pale face. He was Dungeon Lord Andrew.

“Cherry King.” Andrew asked the Ogre, “Have you found the item?”

“How can it be found so quickly? It’s a relic left by Michelangelo, the relic that almost destroyed the world. If it was easily found, the Orc trash would have found it,” Cherry King said to Andrew.

“We are already working hastily. The Orcs didn’t give up. Did they call for reinforcements? Lord Andrew, you are in control of Winterfell. Are you sure they don’t have reinforcements? What’s up with the Goblins, Gnomes, and Houndhead Men?”

“I’m here to explain. Things have changed.” Andrew’s jealousy was obvious when he spoke. “A superior Devil Lord, the Dungeon Lord of Eternal Kingdom, has extended his influence in Winterfell. Those creatures are his servants!”

“A Dungeon Lord? He’s able to interfere with the operations of the Merchant Alliance?”

Cherry King looked at Andrew with disdain.

“There are various reasons,” Andrew said

“Make use of this time to find that item!”

“Great King! Great King!”

An Ogre dashed in and shouted, “We captured three enemies! They tried to barge in!”