Gamers of the Underworld

A green stone slab was stacked on top of some soil and stones, making it into a makeshift platform.

The green stone slab was covered in dense words. A group of Goblins surrounded the green stone slab and were discussing its contents. The green stone slab had the following words:

“This is from the Eternal Kingdom Non-Existing Intelligence Organization’s critical intelligence:

The evil Void leader occupied Specter College, which was filled with countless Liches and Specters. They were building up their strength in a bid to attack Eternal Kingdom and the beautiful Underworld.

Devil Lord Sherlock’s entrustment: Eternal Kingdom’s warriors, we need you to protect our homeland. The Underworld requires your help. Do not be afraid of death and sacrifice. Take up your weapons and fight!

[Daily Exploration of ‘Specter College: Training Grounds’

Mission Description: Eternal Kingdom requires you to go to ‘Specter College: Training Grounds’ and obtain intelligence and diminish the Specter Legion’s power. Kill sufficient Specters (0/10)

Mission Reward: 100 Reputation Points, 50 bronze coins

Mission Hints: The ‘Specter College: Training Grounds’ Instance Dungeon is for a maximum team of five gamers. After selecting your members, proceed to the designated Teleport Portal Main Hall (Beside the Seedbed). Wait within the one-meter radius of the portal. When the Teleport Portal is activated by Mana, you may enter. Each activation lasts for 20 seconds.

Instance Dungeon Requirement: Reputation Level 2 and above (30,000), Close Combat (Long Range) Weapon Level 2 and above]”

The contents on the green slab stone were very detailed. After the gamers finished reading the contents, they forgot all about the version updates that destroyed their dumbbell villa dream.

“Those with Weapon Level 2, join us! Archers are declined!”

“Those with +3 equipment, join us! Make haste! First expedition team, move out!”

“Spider hunters, join us! Those who want materials and equipment improvement, join us! We’ll leave once a team of four is formed! Loot distribution is by rolling dice!”

…

The group of gamers shouted at the top of their lungs, and the entrance of the Dungeon Core Main Hall was rowdy like a Sunday market.

“Pom! Pom! Pom!” Simba, who was improving the gamers’ equipment, heard the loud shouting from the Main Hall. The green veins on his forehead pulsated, and he was getting very impatient.

“Uncle Blacksmith, help me have a successful equipment improvement, otherwise, I’ll lie down in front of your shop…”

“Your chest armor is gone!”

“No—!”

Peasant grabbed his head in despair and wailed kneeling down as he witnessed Simba hammer out a huge hole in his Breastplate and throw it mercilessly into the recycling furnace.

The gamers who were queuing up for equipment improvement witnessed Peasant’s predicament, as well as two other gamers who were wailing in despair. They walked off silently. It wasn’t a good day for equipment improvement.

…

Half of the gamers were below Combat Level 2. When they realized that they were unable to enter the Instance Dungeon, they quickly formed teams to hunt for Spiders.

The Spiders were facing another bloodbath.

When these gamers flooded the Spiders’ Lair, the remaining gamers formed teams of five. Some gamers had formed their teams and were preparing for their expedition to Specter College.

Five Goblins sat in a circle close to the Teleport Portal.

They were Arthur, NotWearingPants, Sylvanas, BurningChestHair, and Peasant.

While other gamers were still forming teams, they had started to discuss their combat tactics.

“… like this, follow according to how we fought the Skeleton Soldiers of the plot BOSS. Does everyone understand?” NotWearingPants said as he used the tip of his sword to draw out the combat plan.

Sylvanas and Peasant hesitated and nodded. Arthur didn’t respond, while BurningChestHair grabbed his arm and asked, “Wait, I don’t understand. I understand the left and right flanking followed by a sneak attack at the back. But what is this initial Short Bow volley about?”

“What? Is there a problem? Before engaging the monsters at close range, we fire from a distance. Isn’t this common knowledge in an online game?” Sylvanas frowned and looked at BurningChestHair as she asked, “Are you worried about my archery skill and harming allies? My long range Weapon Level is 2!”

“No, no, no, I’m not worried that you will harm allies. Before engagement, we will be hiding behind. No matter how good you are, you aren’t able to shoot behind your head unless you’re GodV,” BurningChestHair said as he spread out his hands. “I mean, think about the Skeleton Soldiers. Aren’t they made of bones?”

“Yes, what about it?” Sylvanas looked puzzledly at BurningChestHair.

“You’re shooting at a Skeleton… where are you going to shoot?” BurningChestHair said, and the other gamers understood.

NotWearingPants slammed down his palm and said, “D*mn, I forgot about this problem. I’m playing this game like previous online games. We’ll throw stones at the Skeletons. The accuracy is better anyway.”

“We agreed that I would use my Short Bow to engage the monsters first. Why are you changing the plan? Don’t you trust me?” Sylvanas objected. “Even if they are Skeletons, I can kill them with a shot to their skull. Perhaps I can kill all of them without you fighting. Do you believe that?”

“The Skeleton Soldiers are all bones without any flesh for the arrow to hit. If you shoot an arrow through a soldier’s ribs and hit the spine of another soldier behind, thus killing two soldiers, wouldn’t we be wasting our talents? Use the stones. It’s not only more accurate but will save on arrows,” Peasant suggested.

“Yes, you shot Arthur’s skull last time. Have you forgotten?” NotWearingPants said.

“I said it was an accident. Brother Arthur didn’t say anything. Why are you always mentioning that? If I don’t use my Short Bow, what’s the use of owning one?” Sylvanas stood up impatiently and screamed at NotWearingPants. A few gamers looked in their direction.

“Use stones,” Arthur, who was sitting cross-legged, said.

“Oh, I agree with Brother Arthur.” The hot-tempered Sylvanas sat down obediently.

“If there are no other issues, we’ll move out!” Arthur said as he slapped his thigh and stood up.