Gamers of the Underworld

The Gnome Inspector observed the crowd in the Garrison Guard office and the long queue.

He nodded with satisfaction as he commented, “Cherry is highly capable. He’s indeed a Garrison Guard Captain from a large Dungeon.”

“Yes, yes, we’ve just started work, and business is so good.”

A Gnome Garrison Guard nodded in agreement.

“With the current situation, we can complete a thousand incident reports before knocking off.”

“Wah, that’s awesome. He’s indeed from a large Dungeon!”

The other Garrison Guards were full of respect for Cherry.

The gamers were diligently trying to gather intelligence.

The queue at the Garrison Guard office would persist for the next few days.

Outside the Small Distant Town, at the empty space around the Airship, the gamers gathered rocks and placed them in a circle to demarcate a boundary. Then they were going to pitch some tents, set up the cauldron, and prepare meals.

There were specialized gamers to perform these tasks. After receiving the missions to set up camp, they worked diligently.

Sherlock returned to the Dungeon Lord Main Hall in Eternal Kingdom and used the crystal ball to observe the activities of the gamers.

His plan was simple, to build a camp for settling down. Then, he would use Rune Mana Formations to create a Revival Point and Teleport Portal.

Eggface and Polio went shopping at tens of shops according to the requirements of the contract. After, the tour guide would take them to the Black Volcano for a free tour.

The Winterfell Merchant Band got into trouble at the Black Volcano, but there were no suspicious characters or leads. The robbers made use of the volcano eruption to commit the crime. Most likely, they were hiding in the Black Volcano.

Even if they weren’t hiding there, there must be some leads.

The gamers had to investigate before the volcano erupted.

They could only wait now.

…

Sylvanas and her Guild members walked on the streets of the Small Distant Town. There was Peasant, Arthur, NotWearingPants, BurningChestHair, and other members, including Raintea.

They were chatting about the Plot as they strolled along the streets of Small Distant Town. They were looking for significant NPCs whom they could obtain intelligence from.

The other gamers were thinking of gathering intelligence, but Sylvanas was focused on Raintea.

The gamers were chatting with Raintea.

“Miss Raintea, how did you sculpt your face? Why is your Goblin face so sweet?”

“Ai? I made it casually…”

“Miss Raintea, can I order ten Minor Healing Potions from you?”

“Of course, but I have to finish my current order first.”

“Miss Raintea, how much have you learned about Potion Concoction?”

“I’m at the same pace as everybody.”

“Miss Raintea…”

Tsk!

Sylvanas scoffed instinctively.

“What’s up, Sylvanas? You don’t look good,” NotWearingPants said bewilderedly when he heard Sylvanas’ scoff.

“Please, call me Miss Sylvanas,” Sylvanas replied unhappily to NotWearingPants.

“Isn’t that the surname of the Queen of the Devils Windwalkers?” Peasant asked puzzledly.

“She must be jealous of Raintea, you silly dudes.”

BurningChestHair joined in and smiled happily. He pointed to the nearby Arthur and said in a low voice, “Take a look at Arthur’s position. He’s only two creatures away from Raintea. Take a look at Sylvanas’ position. Arthur’s five creatures away from Sylvanas!”

Sylvanas rebuked immediately, “That’s because my starting position was lousy! I’m changing position now!”

Sylvanas ran up to Arthur’s side.

NotWearingPants and the other gamers broke into laughter.

Previously, Sylvanas would have initiated violence, but now, she was reduced to clenching her fists that were as large as sandbags. She couldn’t do anything else.

Because Raintea was present.

NotWearingPants and the other gamers knew her weakness and were unrestrained in their teasing.

While Sylvanas was about to explode, a nervous Gnome ran out from an alley and knocked into Raintea.

Raintea was a Goblin and couldn’t withstand the force of a Gnome. She fell to the ground, whereas the Gnome climbed up hastily and continued fleeing.

The gamers blocked the Gnome, who didn’t have green symbols above his head. The Gnome wasn’t a gamer.

“Give way!” the Gnome said in a low, hoarse voice. He looked wretched, and his skin was dark red instead of the usual green skin of a Gnome.

“Wait, Bro! Do you have an urgent problem? We’re saviors of the world and warriors of Eternal Kingdom! We can help you! Did you have a Strange Encounter?”

“No, no, don’t listen to him. I’m the world’s greatest hero!”

According to logic, unusual things could trigger Hidden Plots. The Gnome looked wretched and different. After knocking into Raintea without apologizing, the NPC was indeed unusual!

Most likely, it was a Strange Encounter!

“Give way, give way…”

The Gnome repeated his words while the gamers were busy advertising themselves in vain.

“Cherry! There’s no time! Cherry, there’s no time! Letter! Find the letter!”

After the dark red Gnome spoke these words, he exploded. The furious explosion engulfed the surrounding gamers…

…

Patrick Star ran along a road and arrived at the explosion location, but it was surrounded by many creatures. Tens of Garrison Guards had surrounded the scene.

“Sorry, give way! I’m a Winterfell press reporter!”

Patrick Star squeezed through the crowd. The crowd was wearing armor, and they had green symbols above their heads. They were from Eternal Kingdom!

“Please give way! The Plot Animation is starting!”

“Gosh, it’s Patrick Star. Do you have a mission for us?”

“What mission? This is a Plot Animation. Give way immediately.”

The gamers made way noisily. Patrick Star looked left and right before walking slowly to the side.

A Gnome Inspector walked over. From his uniform, he seemed to be the highest-ranking commander in the Garrison Guard.

“Are you the press reporter?”

The Gnome spat saliva on his palm and moistened his shiny scalp. After smoothing the wrinkles on his head, he extended his hand excitedly and said, “Greetings, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Small Distant Town’s Inspector! I’m called…”

“Inspector!” Cherry shouted from behind the Inspector, “Come here quickly. There’s a witness!”

Before the Inspector had a chance to shake Patrick Star’s hand, he went towards Cherry.

Patrick Star wanted to follow the Inspector, but he was stopped.

“Apologies, you can’t go in. That’s the first crime scene,” a Gnome Garrison Guard stopped Patrick Star and said firmly.

“Can I appear in the newspaper?”

“No problem, let him in. This is the first time we’ve encountered such a brutal crime. We need a reporter to report how we crack this case.”

The Inspector turned his head to speak, and Patrick Star expressed his gratitude before entering the crime scene.

The crime scene was a large area of incinerated land, and on the ground were various messy items.

The huge explosion left behind a broken Black Longsword, a few hollowed Breastplates, broken Plate Leggings, a badly burnt belt, and other damaged equipment.

“Is this equipment from Eternal Kingdom?”

The Inspector was puzzled about how Patrick Star could recognize the equipment.

“That’s right. According to my first account witness, there were 20 creatures who had green symbols above their heads. From all angles, they seemed to be from Eternal Kingdom… Hmm? You’re… Patrick Star?”

Cherry was dumbfounded. When he saw Patrick Star, he was taken aback.

“Ai? Captain Cherry? I interviewed you before. Why are you here?”

“Ah, why am I here… that’s because… I, I, I, hmm.” Cherry rubbed his head and squeezed his face. He then shifted his left and right legs and said solemnly, “Let’s not talk about this. The important thing is this case! Inspector, he’s the first eye witness and the boss of the teahouse. Please, tell us the details.”

“Ah! I was brewing tea in the kitchen. Then, I heard a loud explosion! I brewed the tea and served it to the customer before I checked the accounts. After the customer paid their bill, I gave him a discount coupon. Spending ten Magic Stones will yield a discount of two Magic Stones, and it only costs one Magic Stone to gain a membership card. These are my shop’s discount coupons…”

The boss of the teahouse described the explosion excitedly and gave his coupons to everyone.