Gamers of the Underworld

In the dark cage, a deformed man with multiple injuries lay on the ground motionless. If not for his breathing, anyone would have thought that he was dead.

Footsteps were heard outside, and soon, a fat Human followed behind a few guards as they came over from a dark tunnel.

Nobody spoke. The fat Human paced in front of the cage a few times and then asked the guard, “How long has the situation been like this?”

“Since he arrived. Unless he wants to move, we have no way to make him move. When he’s sleeping, nobody can wake him. If he’s not willing, nobody can force him. I’ve never seen such a strong-willed person!” the guard explained in fear.

“Hmm…”

The fat Human nodded and remained silent. After a moment, a guard came over and whispered, “Master, the best Sword trainer in the city is here.”

“Hmm, let him in,” the fat Human ordered. Upon his order, a tall, slim, and bearded man entered. He was the best Sword trainer in the city.

“Great Lord.”

The Sword trainer bowed to the fat Human who nodded and said, “I need you to train this man. He has a powerful will and will become a powerful fighter!”

“I understand, Great Lord,” the Sword trainer said respectfully.

“Ooo…”

“Great Lord! Hoodlum is awake!”

As the fat Human was about to leave, the guard shouted. The fat Human looked excitedly at the wounded Hoodlum, whose face was filled with determination.

“What mission is it today? Is it a vicious beating?”

“No lad, today’s mission is to defeat me with all you’ve got!” the bearded Sword trainer said.

…

Bond received the shocking letter from Cherry and conveyed the news to the Merchant Alliance. Before long, Nicholas received a letter from the Merchant Alliance.

“I’m supposed to investigate the treasure at the Sighing Wilderness?”

After becoming the Winterfell Dungeon Lord, Nicholas knew more confidential information and had more problems, such as this sudden suggestion letter.

Though Nicholas was supposed to investigate the treasure at the Sighing Wilderness, from the given intelligence, Lord Sherlock was also interested in the treasure. Was that the reason Sherlock took up this mission voluntarily?

Nicholas didn’t want to become an enemy of Sherlock, who was a superior Devil with a formidable family background. Perhaps his dad was even one of the Devil Kings. The fight with Samael could be a family dispute with his uncle.

Moreover, Nicholas hadn’t heard of the Sighing Wilderness before!

Most likely, the letter was sent to him to create trouble. If he didn’t investigate the Sighing Wilderness, the Merchant Alliance would accuse him of siding with Eternal Kingdom instead of the Merchant Alliance!

But if he conducted the investigation, he could spoil his cordial relationship with Lord Sherlock. What should he do?

While Nicholas was feeling distressed, the always helpful Lord Sherlock arrived in his office.

“Lord Nicholas, Lord Sherlock is waiting for your outside.”

Nicholas’ Orc assistant knocked on the door and informed him.

“What? Lord Sherlock is here?”

Nicholas quickly put away the letter and walked towards the door. He asked, “Where is Lord Sherlock?”

He opened the door and saw the Orc assistant accompanying Sherlock outside the door.

“Lord Sherlock!”

“It has been a few days, and Dungeon Lord Nicholas looks as good as before.”

Sherlock looked at Baron Nicholas’ pale face and asked, “Can I come in?”

“Of course. Brew a cup of tea for Lord Sherlock.”

Sherlock walked into Nicholas’ office, and both of them sat down. Then, Sherlock said directly, “I’m here because I have a matter to inform Dungeon Lord Nicholas about. The mission to clear the Ogre Fortress is basically completed. Though there’s a small group of defiant Ogres occupying the depths of the Fortress, they don’t pose a serious threat, but…”

“Ah, Lord Sherlock, don’t you worry! Eternal Kingdom has paid a high price to clear the Ogre Fortress. The citizens of Winterfell and I will always remember that. Of course, I’ve prepared the death compensation. Lord Sherlock, don’t worry about the money,” Nicholas said quickly.

“Ah, I’m relieved to hear that, but I’m not referring to this matter.” Sherlock looked concerned as he said, “While Eternal Kingdom and the Ogres were fighting to the death, a group of Humans, Fairies, and Elves secretly built an outpost close to the Ogre Fortress.”

“I have the intention to exterminate the decadent Human Faction, but their leader is a Duchess Lilo, and she is very powerful. Our first wave of attack was neutralized by the Humans of Victoria City. Don’t you worry, though, to protect Winterfell, we will fight these Humans to the death, and we won’t charge any death compensation.”

Nicholas was astonished and said, “You, you won’t charge death compensation? But Lord Sherlock…”

“No buts. I know your good intentions, Dungeon Lord, but this is no longer about Winterfell. This concerns the whole of the Underworld. As a reliable, ambitious, and young superior Devil and Dungeon Lord, I have a responsibility to help the Underworld fight against the Human Faction,” Sherlock said righteously and interrupted Nicholas, who was about to speak.

“Don’t say a word, Dungeon Lord Nicholas. Just let me handle this! Of course, I’ll just be upfront. Is there a problem if Eternal Kingdom takes the loot from the Humans, Fairies, and Elves?”

“Of course there’s no problem! I’m moved by your gesture to sacrifice for the Underworld. I feel guilty. If I wasn’t recently appointed as the Dungeon Lord and things weren’t so unstable, I’d fight with Lord Sherlock to chase the Surface World races out of the Underworld!”

Nicholas was welling up with tears. He took out a letter and swallowed hard, saying, “The Merchant Alliance already knows about your recent moves, and they conducted an investigation. Don’t you worry, Lord Sherlock, this isn’t the decision of the majority of the Merchant Alliance, there are just some high-level officials who are jealous of me and want to scheme against me. Has Lord Sherlock seen any suspicious characters recently?”

Sherlock took the letter from Nicholas. He examined it a bit and stroked his chin as he said helplessly, “Tsk, it seems quite logical at first glance…”

“Ah? What are you talking about, Lord Sherlock?”

“I didn’t expect the officials of the Merchant Alliance to be against you. They are certainly evil. Don’t you worry, Dungeon Lord Nicholas, our relationship won’t be affected, and the alliance between Eternal Kingdom and Winterfell won’t erode.”

Sherlock smiled and reassured Nicholas.

“Of course!” Nicholas said confidently.

“I need to explain something. The Sighing Wilderness doesn’t have any treasure. We named the plains near the Ogre Fortress as the Sighing Wilderness for convenience. The decadent faction of the Surface World intends to occupy the Sighing Wilderness as their base because of the availability of rich resources and the defenses afforded by the Fortress. That’s what I’m guessing. Don’t worry, they don’t have large numbers, so I’m able to deal with them.”

Nicholas was relieved. He said, “Lord Sherlock, I’m relieved to hear that. I’ll report this matter to resolve the misunderstanding. Don’t you require the assistance of Winterfell?”

“It’s not necessary. As Winterfell has suffered several setbacks and things are unstable, it’s better for Winterfell to settle down first. Nobody is a good choice to be the Winterfell Dungeon Lord except for Dungeon Lord Nicholas. If you are implicated, it won’t be good news for Eternal Kingdom.”

“I understand. Lord Sherlock, you have to be extra careful. If you need additional troops, just inform me. Though you have declined my death compensation, I have decided to sponsor Lord Sherlock with some equipment. Please don’t decline!”

Nicholas looked insistent, and Sherlock didn’t wish to refuse his good intentions, so he nodded awkwardly.

“I can’t refuse you anymore. I shall accept your kindness. Please provide more Orc Standard Equipment, as I’m recruiting Orcs.”