Gamers of the Underworld

This was his new job.

As a secretary, it was his duty to perform data entry using the statistics form. Eggface was trained for a few days before being put to work.

“The Northern Dungeons are generous...”

Eggface wasn’t the only creature in the office. Polio and Phoenix were also there. Polio commented as he used his claws to tug at the form that was in front of Eggface.

“That’s for sure. Lord Sherlock defeated the Surface World monsters, so it’s normal for the other Dungeon Lords to suck up to him. Who knows if Sherlock will become the second Michelangelo?”

“Why are you using the direct name of my master? No, I mean my previous master? Though Michelangelo has passed on, you shouldn’t be disrespectful to him.”

Though Polio reminded Eggface, his tone was filled with mocking intent. Phoenix was flapping his wings while he guffawed.

Eggface shook his head to shake off his drowsiness while he said impatiently to his companions, “Can both of you go over there to play? I’m working, and if I don’t finish my work, I won’t be able to play computer games. I don’t know if I’ll be able to play any games today. Can you let me work in peace?”

After being chastised by Eggface, Phoenix and Polio went to the side to do their own things. It wasn’t that they were obedient to Eggface. If Sherlock came to know that they were disturbing Eggface during work, he would punish them, and they didn’t wish to be punished by Sherlock.

In the office, Frangipani, who was without his shell, watched the scene intensely. He walked in big strides and carried a tray silently behind Eggface. Then he smiled and said, “Mr. Eggface, is the chrysanthemum tea enough? Shall I warm it up for you?”

The normally emotionless Frangipani spoke warmly to Eggface. On the tray was a cup of bloody chrysanthemum tea that he had brewed for Eggface. Eggface took the tea and sipped it once before saying to Frangipani, “Hmm, the temperature is good, but the quantity isn’t enough. Prepare ten times more chrysanthemum tea.”

“Okay, I’ll do it now. Remember to take a rest and not overwork yourself,” Frangipani said as he left with his tray. When he passed by Phoenix and Polio, he greeted them warmly.

Phoenix and Polio looked at the receding back view of Frangipani, then Polio said, bewildered, “What kind of life do you think Sherlock installed for Frangipani? Ever since he came out of the Mana Device, he has been extremely obedient.”

“Who knows? Lord Sherlock has always been a master of manipulation. I don’t want to have a taste of that device. Looking at the condition of Frangipani, it’s not that simple,” Phoenix said.

As he was about to continue, Polio dry coughed twice, and the fur on his back stood on end. Phoenix immediately understood the gesture and shut his mouth just as Sherlock walked into the office. Sherlock muttered to himself as he walked.

“They wanted the Princess? The Fairies of Yggdrasill? I didn’t expect that. I have a good idea...”

“Lord Sherlock, do you need my help? It’s hard to work outside for a day. Let me massage your legs. How’s that?”

Polio watched Sherlock walk in and went forward to welcome him warmly. He extended his two paws to massage Sherlock’s legs, but Sherlock raised his arm and pushed Polio away. Then Sherlock said, “Don’t worry, I won’t put you in the Mana Device to punish you unless you commit mistakes. Polio, help me patrol the Dungeon if you have nothing to do.”

When Sherlock mentioned the Mana Device, Frangipani couldn’t help shivering as if he recalled something terrible in the deepest part of his soul.

Sherlock walked to his seat, exhausted, and sat down. Then he started typing on the keyboard. Though Phoenix couldn’t see the screen, from Sherlock’s expression, he knew that Sherlock was up to no good and was asking the warriors of Eternal Kingdom to help him. The gamers outside would start their operations when Sherlock finished typing.

It must be Sherlock’s newly discovered command tactic. During his time, all orders were transmitted by shouting or through the usage of Mana, but now it was done by the advanced computer. It was quite unbelievable.

Phoenix thought it was incredible.

Everyone in Eternal Kingdom had their own job. Brainiac had finished his research on internet TV, so it was time for the product to be manufactured using assembly line production.

The internet TV’s product installation technology had matured after a long period of research, so the assembly line production wasn’t a big problem.

The next step was to promote the use of internet TV. If the internet TV couldn’t be sold, then there would be no profits. Brainiac didn’t have to worry, as Nicholas would help to promote the product. The Merchant Alliance was also willing to help Lord Sherlock promote internet TV to all Dungeons in the Northern Underworld. The Gladiator Arena had ordered a shipment of internet TVs, as the product was meant to promote the programs in the Gladiator Arena. It would be strange if the Gladiator Arena didn’t buy them.

Though everything went smoothly, Brainiac encountered some problems with the gamers.

The product installation was performed by the gamers during the assembly line production. The appearance and functions of the internet TV were too similar to the ones that they had seen in real life. Though the product was run using Mana instead of electricity, the gamers couldn’t help asking Brainiac questions.

“Is this a television? Why are you using a television?”

“Hey, mind your language.”

“Can you watch programs with this device? Can I buy a set for my home?”

“What’s that? Ten Magic Stones for a set? Are you performing daylight robbery?”

“I have a lot of Reputation Points and Honor Points? Can I use them to exchange for one?”

“I feel that our salary should be converted to points so that we can exchange for rewards such as the Mana TV.”

The gamers were curious about this internet TV, so they surrounded it and asked a lot of questions. The usually aloof Brainiac didn’t answer the questions. Instead, he recorded down the questions silently before leaving. Then he conveyed the questions to Sherlock, who said, “You’ve done well. Don’t bother with the residents’ questions. I know about their desire to have a TV. If their performances are good, I’ll consider rewarding them with a TV. Did the Merchant Alliance indicate when they wanted the goods? Do you know how many TVs they want for the first shipment?”

“The creature in charge of communicating with the Merchant Alliance isn’t me. It’s Evelynn.”

Sherlock nodded. Brainiac was indeed not suitable for business negotiation. He was more suitable for doing research and combat. On the other hand, Evelynn was familiar with the workings of the Merchant Alliance. Though she wasn’t as capable as Brainiac, she was still competent in business negotiations.

He wouldn’t interfere with the business negotiations, as they were usually handled by his employees. He had more important things to take care of. It was regarding the Fairies of Yggdrasill.

“Lord Sherlock, according to our intelligence, the Fairies have sent their representatives to Victoria City with Dragonborn. They will arrive at the boundary of Victoria City very soon. Their aim is to rescue their Princess, who is the Potion Concoction Instructor, Little Fairy,” Bru said to Sherlock as he continued his surveillance on Dragonborn.

Ever since Dragonborn received his Wyvern mission, Bru had been watching him closely, especially when he encountered the Fairies of Yggdrasill.

Sherlock wanted to expand his power base, so he had to carry out the Open Beta Testing. However, the increased number of gamers would require incremental Mana. Supporting the Mana requirement of 5,000 gamers was an arduous task for Sherlock and Lilo. Though they wouldn’t be totally drained of Mana, if more gamers were added, they might have to lie in bed every day and consume Magic Stones to replenish their Mana.

That wasn’t what Sherlock wanted. He had to find a replacement for the Mana pool. Like the Yggdrasill, which could support more than 50,000 gamers.

However, Yggdrasill was quite a distance from Victoria City and well protected by the Fairies. It would be difficult to get close to Yggdrasill, and it wasn’t practical to take over the Yggdrasill by force. The Human kingdoms and the other races would protect Yggdrasill at all costs. If not managed properly, it would cause a full-scale war between the Surface World and the Underworld. That wasn’t what Sherlock wanted. His plan was to use the war between Victoria City and Eternal Kingdom to prevent other parties from joining in the conflict. That was his acceptable outcome.

Sherlock’s plan was to secretly connect Yggdrasill to the Dungeon Core to use the Mana pool. He had to ensure that the Fairies didn’t find out about the connection.

It was a difficult plan to implement, and not even Sherlock could do it undetected. The Fairies would have tight security around Yggdrasill. Without the Fairies’ invitation, Sherlock would be discovered the moment he ventured into the boundary of their territory.

But the situation had changed. The Fairies were anxious to find their Princess. This was a good opportunity.

Sherlock’s plan was simple. He was going to make use of the gamers to lead the Fairies into his trap.

He had to let Dragonborn gain the trust of the Fairies. Thus, Sherlock designed a custom Strange Encounter Mission for Dragonborn.

...

[Mission Title: Help the Fairies find their Princess (Strange Encounter)

Mission Description: The Fairies of Yggdrasill are looking for their Princess. It’s not known how they discovered that their Princess is imprisoned in Eternal Kingdom. The residents of Eternal Kingdom have green symbols above their heads. Due to this unique characteristic, the Fairies believe that you’re related to Eternal Kingdom. This is your chance to help the Fairies look for their Princess and gain their trust and friendship.

Mission Objective: Find the Princess of the Fairies.

Mission Reward: Each reward level is different. The higher the level, the more generous the reward will be.

Mission Notes: This is a compulsory mission. Use whatever means to complete the mission. You will become the hero of Victoria City. You will also trigger a series of Strange Encounter Missions and even a Faction War. Proceed bravely, hero!]

Dragonborn got online after he woke up. When he noticed the Mission Description, he became very excited. He hadn’t done anything, but he had received such a wonderful Strange Encounter Mission. He wanted to inform his friends offline, but he didn’t have the chance. A voice was heard beside him.

“Are you finally awake? If your companion hadn’t convinced me that you weren’t dead, I would have thought that you perished. Are you always such a sound sleeper?” a Fairy asked as he frowned. He looked unhappily at Dragonborn.