Gamers of the Underworld

Professor Bacon put the piece of paper from Sherlock in his pocket and exhaled before saying, “I thought Lord Sherlock was going to kill me. You only needed to use a simple illusion…”

“That was for dramatic effect. Apologies for scaring Professor Bacon.” Sherlock waved his hand.

“It was hard on you, Lord Sherlock. You have to play these games with the Goblins… To be honest, it’s shameful.”

Bacon’s cheekbones blushed.

“Ai, you might not believe me. They’re like my family members. As long as they are living well, I’m not bothered whether it’s shameful or not. Yes, what do you think of the Goblins becoming the combatants for the Liches?” Sherlock exhaled and said.

“Lord Sherlock, this batch of Goblins are pretty good, though their brains don’t seem right. As combatants for the graduating Liches, I mean research assistants, there’s no problem. Brains aren’t required as long as they can fight and are fearless. The Goblins have proved themselves worthy. Don’t you worry,” Bacon nodded and said.

“Professor, I’m relieved. Since the Goblins are qualified, can we discuss the details of the graduating research? Let’s go to my office,” Sherlock said as he made Bacon invisible.

“Of course…”

Both of them chatted as they strolled to Eternal Kingdom.

The gamers returned to Eternal Kingdom in a hurry. They chatted excitedly about the Plot Animation along the way.

Lord Sherlock had said that he would tell everyone the details once they returned to the Dungeon.

The gamers returned to the Dungeon happily and looked for Sherlock. When they saw him, Sherlock’s head had a large word, “Shh”, and they were puzzled. Sherlock said, “Once I recover my power, I’ll tell you.”

Then he shut the Dungeon Core Main Hall.

Sherlock was busy discussing the graduating research with Professor Bacon, so he was unable to tell stories to the gamers.

To deal with the gamers’ questions, Bru announced a full-service mission:

[Full-service mission: Protect the vulnerable Devil Lord Sherlock

Mission Description: After the battle with Ba.Mannoroth.Con, Lord Sherlock is very weak. Ba.Mannoroth.Con’s evil legion could attack Eternal Kingdom anytime. Heroes of the Eternal Kingdom, take up your weapons and protect Devil Lord Sherlock! (Please note that gamers are not able to request revival during the mission period.)

Mission Reward: Those who carry out the daily construction mission will receive double rewards.]

All the gamers went into an infrastructure madness as they carried bricks diligently. What about the Main Plot Mission?

It was alright, let Sherlock rest for a while!

The gamers mined ore with their pickaxes diligently. They carried the ore stones and cut the stone slabs to cover the ground in order to complete the construction missions and earn double rewards.

In the Dungeon Core Main Hall.

There was a table with original wood color and two wooden stools. It wasn’t poor, it was simple.

Bacon wasn’t used to such an environment. He sat on the stool and placed both of his hands on the table. He tapped the table with his finger bones.

Sherlock brewed a cup of bubbling crimson chrysanthemum tea and sat down.

“Thousands of Liches graduate annually. For the past tens of years, the college hasn’t been able to recruit enough manpower, so tens of thousands of Liches have been unable to graduate. Every graduating Lich has to prepare his own Specter Warrior and obtain the approval of the examiner to graduate. They are rather strict rules. No wonder your college is the most famous Specter College.”

“With so many students, it isn’t easy to determine their combat power.” Professor Bacon nodded and said, “The biggest problem is an insufficient number of combatants. As such, the college wishes to sign the collaboration agreement as soon as possible. Because it’s the graduation season and yet there’s not much progress, the college is getting worried. If the Goblins could make it to our college as soon as possible…”

Bacon felt his words inappropriate. It was as though he was hurrying the Goblins to their death. He explained, “I know we should give some time for the Goblins to bid farewell to their families. However, considering the cost of the college, if a student’s graduation is delayed one day, the operating cost would increase. In addition, the accumulation of students waiting to graduate is a smear to our college’s reputation. Currently, it’s the golden period for the development of Dungeons, and every Dungeon is in urgent need of a Lich. If we can sign the agreement earlier and begin the graduation examination, that would be perfect.”

“I understand, I fully understand! As the top Specter College in the northern Underworld, I will fully support your school. I don’t have any problem here. We can sign the agreement now,” Sherlock said. “I have a small question. Are you only recruiting a thousand combatants? You said just now that there are tens of thousands of Liches waiting for graduation.”

“You are saying…” Bacon’s empty eye sockets lit up as he leaned forward.

“A thousand combatants won’t be enough if they are all killed,” Sherlock said solemnly.

Professor Bacon was stunned, and he said, “This… this is a problem. We can’t make things difficult for you. Obtaining a thousand Goblins from you is already… difficult for you. If I demand more, it might attract the attention of the Underworld Labor Union. Would Lord Sherlock get into trouble?”

“Don’t worry, why would I be affected? This is something the Goblins chose. I’ve said that the Goblins have ideals and dreams. They don’t wish to live in mediocrity. They would rather perish in a valiant battle that is appropriate for their dream and honor,” Sherlock said. He was in a generous mood. “Your college and I will help them complete their dreams with a heavy heart.”

“Lord Sherlock, I’m touched. You’re the new generation philanthropist!” Professor Bacon said excitedly.

“I don’t deserve to be mentioned. My efforts are a notch below Professor Bacon.” Sherlock waved his hand modestly as he said, “My intention is simple. Your college has many graduating students while my Goblins are eager to start their adventure. Shall I undertake the entire graduating research? We’ll go according to the headcount instead of fixing a number. I guarantee that it will be lower than your estimation.”

“Of course, to protect the college’s interest, I won’t get inferior Goblins to participate in the graduating research so that I can reap profits from their death,” Sherlock said. “The Goblins will go through a strict selection process to become combat-fit Goblins. That will reduce casualties and the cost to the college to a minimum. All these terms can be included in the agreement so that the college will have a peace of mind!”

“That’s great! Lord Sherlock, you are the epitome of justice!” Bacon said. “This is not an insult. I hope that you don’t misunderstand me.”

“Understand, I understand.” Sherlock lifted his hand and said, “If the college has no other issues, we’ll discuss the details in the agreement. After checking, we can sign the agreement. For the Specter Warriors summoned by the Liches, will they have their own equipment?”

“Yes, but not much. Most of the Skeleton Soldiers don’t have any equipment. Is there a problem?” Professor Bacon was puzzled.

“Oh, if the Goblins defeat the Specter Warriors, can their equipment be the reward for the Goblins?”

Professor Bacon understood Sherlock’s intention and said, “I understand Lord Sherlock’s intention. The equipment prepared by the students isn’t expensive, and there’s no problem giving it to the Goblins as a reward. There’s no such precedence, but Lord Sherlock has helped us tremendously, so we can agree to this request.”

“What about the students’ opinions…”

“We’ll deal with the students’ opinions. Don’t worry.”

“What about the equipment left by the Goblins…”

“Lord Sherlock, it will be returned intact.”

Sherlock and Bacon looked at each other and smiled. Bacon’s face appeared happy as both of them finalized their initial agreement.

Sherlock smiled as he said, “Let’s discuss the details. Normally, a Lich and a combatant would fight one-on-one. However, as the Goblins are far inferior to the Gnomes and Orcs in terms of anatomy, I suggest that two Liches fight against five Goblins in an Instance Dungeon setting!”

“Two Liches against five Goblins? Instance Dungeon?” Bacon was puzzled.

“I’ll explain it to you…”