Gamers of the Underworld

NotWearingPants walked out from the Mana Rune Formation of the Airship and saw a Sludge Monster holding a sign and talking with Polio.

The sign had the words:

“We warmly welcome the Nobody Has This Name mercenary group to the Black Volcano small town. I am your tour guide Sludge Monster.”

Most of the gamers didn’t leave the empty space surrounding the Airship even though they saw the entrance to Small Distant Town.

This was because a flashing system notice appeared before each gamer when they stepped out from the Teleport Portal:

[Please don’t leave the vicinity of the Airship. Lord Sherlock is arriving.]

Most of the gamers would stay after seeing the notice. A small portion of the wandering gamers was unable to move even though they hadn’t gone into Small Distant Town.

Sherlock had arrived and restrained the gamers with the Plot Animation Mode.

The gamers appeared from the Mane Rune Formation continuously, walked down the Airship, came to the empty space, and entered the Plot Animation Mode.

Sherlock wasn’t in a hurry to start the Plot Animation. He was chatting with the Sludge Monster before asking him to take Polio and Eggface to shop.

“Wait, isn’t it a 5,000 member shopping group?”

The Sludge Monster tour guide was astonished when he discovered that only a cat and an incredible Black Dragon were going for the shopping trip.

“I think you’re mistaken. I can understand if you look down on the purchasing power of a black cat, but this is a Black Dragon. Let the Black Dragon introduce himself.”

Eggface shifted his fat body as he walked out with his head high. He looked at the Sludge Monster and said, “I’m the Great Lord of the Mountains, Savior of Azeroth, Fiery King of the Black Volcano, Guardian of Cenarius, Bloodsail Admiral, Warrior of Naaru, Hand of Arda…”

Sherlock frowned and asked, “Are you playing World of Warcraft? Which area?”

“With Bru’s server. I’m nostalgic, so I started playing a few days ago. When I was doing customer service, one of them gave me a gaming account. I intended to go for the Huhuran server, but according to the discussion forum, it was the first choice for fast food gamers. Therefore, I didn’t go,” Eggface replied immediately.

Sherlock nodded and looked at the gaping tour guide as he said, “Like you heard, you can’t doubt the purchasing power of a Black Dragon, especially with his grand titles. Take them shopping immediately.”

The Sludge Monster was convinced by Sherlock’s words, and he took Polio and Eggface to Small Distant Town’s shopping district.

Sherlock walked before the gamers and spread out his hands as he said to them, “Warriors of Eternal Kingdom! Winterfell’s crisis has to be solved by us! I can feel the contamination of this area by the Void army and can smell the decadent scent. If we don’t rescue the local residents, they will meet their doom! Warriors! Make haste and build our outpost! We shall set off in a few days to explore the Black Volcano. During this period of time, find out as much information as possible with all your means! Find out the truth behind the attack on the Winterfell Merchant Band!”

A mission appeared before the gamers:

[Mission Title: Investigate Small Distant Town of the Black Volcano

Mission Description: Small Distant Town is in danger, and their peaceful life has been disrupted. Winterfell’s cargo was stolen, and there’s a high chance it was done by the Void army. We have to find out the truth.

Mission Objective: Investigate Small Distant Town and find creatures who have information. Collect as much intelligence as possible.

Mission Reward: Each piece of useful information can be exchanged for corresponding Reputation Points and game currency.]

Though the Mission Reward was ambiguous, the mission was part of a significant Plot. This Black Volcano looked majestic from afar. With the small town in front of the volcano, it was guaranteed that the Plot would be exciting.

After entering Small Distant Town, the gamers had to complete another task. They had to build the temporary outpost to protect the docked Airship!

This was land contaminated by the Void army!

…

Small Distant Town was a tourist resort underneath the Black Volcano. Though the volcano would erupt a few times, and the lava would spurt up to tens of meters, the residents of the town had a carefree and peaceful life.

“Pom!”

It was an eruption of the faraway volcano.

While the volcano was erupting, an elderly Gnome sat in a rocking chair, sipping his afternoon tea while he said emotionally, “What a peaceful day…”

This was located outside the entrance of the Garrison Guard of Small Distant Town. A tall Orc wearing a brown uniform and a cowboy hat pushed open the door and walked in.

“Mr. Cherry, we’ve seen your resume. It fits the requirement of our Garrison Guard. I don’t quite understand…” A Gnome Inspector who wore the same uniform as Cherry but had more decorations than Cherry said, “Why did you resign from Winterfell, that’s a huge Dungeon?”

“I was deceived by a good friend and did damaging things to Winterfell. Due to my guilty conscience, I left Winterfell.” Cherry didn’t hide anything and told the truth.

As the Winterfell Garrison Guard Captain, Cherry had a happy and fulfilling life. Though the gamers of Eternal Kingdom would commit crimes and increase his workload, they were part of his job. After that, Bond, who had committed suicide, asked him to investigate Eternal Kingdom. He had found evidence that Eternal Kingdom didn’t wish Winterfell any harm.

The Ogres in the Ogre Fortress were colluding with Morgan to attack Eternal Kingdom. Bond also colluded with the Merchant Alliance to frame and weaken Eternal Kingdom so that Eternal Kingdom would lose in the Dungeon War with Morgan.

The Merchant Alliance was supposed to have a neutral stance, but it was smeared with such a scandal. Winterfell Dungeon Lord Nicholas reported in detail the facts and created a series of chain reactions that rocked the Merchant Alliance.

Most of the truth was buried together with the death of Bond.

Cherry was greatly affected. Though he was loyal to Winterfell, he flouted the rules of the Merchant Alliance. Even if Nicholas wasn’t going to punish him, he had no moral courage to stay in Winterfell. After his resignation, he arrived at the Black Volcano, which was far from Winterfell and Eternal Kingdom.

There was another reason Cherry didn’t tell the Inspector of Small Distant Town. He didn’t wish to be involved with those strange creatures bearing green symbols.

He was feeling relieved after casting away his curiosity.

“Good, though I think it was unnecessary, I respect your decision. I hope that you’ll be happy working here,” said the Inspector as he shook Cherry’s hand.

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of Small Distant Town!” Cherry smiled earnestly.

He looked at the peaceful Small Distant Town and inhaled deeply. He was starting a new phase of his life journey from today onwards! Farewell to his woes!

A few Goblins who had green symbols above their heads walked in front of him. Cherry saw them, and they saw Cherry. One of the Goblins shouted, “Gosh! Isn’t he Winterfell Garrison Guard Captain Cherry? Why is he here?”

“Make a post! I’m earning my experience points!”

“D*mn, don’t post yet! Let me create a post instead!”

The Goblins started shouting.

…

In the office of the Small Distant Town Garrison Guard.

Cherry sat behind a rundown table while a long queue formed outside. They were gamers who had green symbols above their heads. Due to some reasons, they queued up here to solicit information.

Of course, they couldn’t tell the truth. They were here to report crimes!

“Why are you here in Small Distant Town?” a gamer sat down and asked Cherry when it was his turn to report crimes.

“If you’re here to ask questions, please go out now. If you’re here to report crimes, please make haste.”

Cherry was getting impatient and wasn’t afraid to show it.

“I’m here to report crimes. The Void army is corrupting this place. The end of the world is coming. Tell me, why are you here?”

“Next,” Cherry said without emotion.

The queuing gamers dragged the shocked gamer away. The next gamer in line sat down excitedly and looked at Cherry with anticipation before asking, “Why are you here in Small Distant Town?”