Gamers of the Underworld

“… please wait patiently for our notification.”

Brainiac put down the letter slowly after he finished reading it.

His empty gaze was locked on a candlestick that was lit with pale blue magical flames. The long shadows of Brainiac were cast on the wall.

Loud arguments from the room next door pervaded his small room.

“We let you eat salty clay, but you opted for sweet clay daily! Everyone’s going for salty clay!”

“The place where I came from, we took sweet clay. Isn’t it strange to take salty clay?”

Then crashing and breaking sounds were heard.

Brainiac extended his hand and activated a magical barrier on the wall. It became silent again.

He lost count of the number of times he read the return letter from the Eternal Kingdom Creature Resource Department.

But… three days had passed!

Three entire days!

Brainiac waited in the hotel, but there were no replies.

Why? Was my resume not good enough? Or has Eternal Kingdom already recruited a Lich?

No, I can’t stay passive. I have to be more proactive.

Brainiac reaffirmed his goal, stood up, packed his luggage, and ran to the Winterfell Beetlemon ticketing booth.

“Greetings, I’m buying a ticket to Eternal Kingdom Dungeon.”

“Eternal what? Fire?”

“Eternal Kingdom.”

“There’s no such route, and there are no transit lines to poor or desolate locations. Use a Teleport Portal or rent a Beetlemon!”

…

Winterfell Beetlemon Rental Center.

“Rent a Beetlemon to Eternal Kingdom? I know, I know. Aiya, don’t show me this expression. The Dungeon Lord has rented a Beetlemon from me before. The Dungeon is pretty close to the Surface World and dangerous. If the Beetlemon encounters a Magical Beast or the Surface Army, it would be dead. Therefore, I can’t rent it to you. But if you are willing to buy one… thank you for your patronage!”

…

[Soft Candy Gal: @Lord Sherlock, administrator! I have discovered the game’s gravitational law. Can you give me Beta Tester status? Let me measure the gravitational constant. Can I have an alias?]

[Low Profile BookWolf: @Lord Sherlock, administrator. I invented the Roman Catapult using my imagination. Create two ropes using Spider Silk and tie the middle with Dire Wolf Skin. The stone from the catapult inflicts great damage! Can I have an alias? I’m also good with Beta Testing status]

[Peasant: @Lord Sherlock, be reasonable. Why did the game producers sneak into the forum to study the strategy guides? Why did the Skeleton Soldiers in the Instance Dungeon start carrying Kite Shields? We ran out of Bladder Bombs! D*mn!]

[NotWearingPants: @Lord Sherlock, the changes in the loot system are devastating. Can there be more black feces loot? After appraisal, the loot is called Magical Beast’s feces. That is used as a raw material for Bladder Bombs. We took on the Instance Dungeon missions every day, but we didn’t encounter any. Are you worried about us bombing the Dungeon, so you removed this loot?]

…

Sherlock noticed that there were more than 99 mentions@ of his account in the forum.

Perhaps because Sherlock’s administrator account was more active than previous times, many gamers messaged Sherlock in a bid to have direct communication with him.

The messages were mainly denouncing the game producers, pleading for Beta Tester status, or giving opinions and asking for aliases.

Those who requested an alias were mostly not Beta Gamers.

Sherlock cleared all his messages and was browsing the forum when Bru said, “Lord Sherlock, five days have passed. I think it’s about time that we send the Lich information regarding the interview. As for the salary, I suggest 200 Magic Stones.”

“Yes, it’s about time.” Sherlock nodded and took out some paper and envelopes.

Before he started writing, Bru said, “Lord Sherlock… you don’t have to write. A Lich has come to our Dungeon from Winterfell.”

“He came by himself?” Sherlock was taken aback. Then, he grabbed the cloak at his side and put it on as he strode outside.

Along the way, he encountered gamers who were carrying their dead comrades for revival. They were stained with blood and dust, and their bodies were laden with noisy equipment. They had just finished their Instance Dungeon missions and were packed with loot.

Sherlock grabbed the corpses and revived them before putting them on the ground.

The revived gamer woke up quickly and patted the dust off his body happily before following his companions to find Bru to appraise their equipment.

As Sherlock walked towards the exit, more and more gamers discovered that Sherlock’s route was different from normal.

The abnormality attracted the gamers’ attention.

As the gamers approached him, Sherlock quickly went through the Dungeon Barrier and left Eternal Kingdom in the direction of Winterfell.

The curious gamers gathered at the Dungeon Barrier and discussed whether there would be new plots.

Sherlock exited the Dungeon Boundary and walked along the tunnel. He saw a Beetlemon making the “Pa da, pa da” running sounds as it ran at high speed towards him.

A cloaked figure was on the back of the Beetlemon.

The figure noticed Sherlock and controlled the Beetlemon to reduce speed. The Beetlemon emitted panting sounds as it slowed to a halt.

Dust shrouded the entire tunnel.

A six-legged Beetlemon, whose back was covered with protective armor, stood obediently in the dusty cloud. A cloaked Skeleton frame was sitting on its back.

To be exact, the Skeleton frame was a Lich.

The Lich stood up and climbed down from the Beetlemon. His empty eye sockets glimmered as he gazed at Sherlock.

Sherlock smiled as both of them gazed at each other.

The Beetlemon shook its head. Then, it sneezed loudly and blew its nose at the ground.

“You must be Eternal Kingdom’s Dungeon Lord, Lord Sherlock.” The Lich placed his hand on his right chest and bowed.

“I’m the job applicant from Specter College. I submitted my resume, but I didn’t receive an interview invitation from the Eternal Kingdom Creature Resource Department. I know I’m brash to come here without an invitation, but I really hope to obtain a chance to work in your Dungeon.”

“I have an impression of you, the top student of Specter College with the alias Brainiac. You have a year of internship.”

Sherlock pondered for a while and said, “Honestly speaking, I would like you to work for my Dungeon. Due to some practical reasons, however, I had to let the Creature Resource Department decline your application.”

Brainiac was surprised and asked worriedly, “Wait, Lord Sherlock, why is that so? If you have already employed a Lich, I don’t mind competing with him. Lord Sherlock would like to employ the best Lich, wouldn’t you?”

Sherlock looked at Brainiac’s serious face and asked, “You are quite frank. You didn’t have many friends in school, did you? From work either.”

“Lord Sherlock, is this related to the Dungeon’s work?” Brainiac asked immediately.

“Yes.”

“I feel that whether it is learning, research, or work, those who indulge in drinking, eating, and wasting time in courtship aren’t desirable. Only if one is focused can they improve themselves. So I didn’t develop in those areas.” Brainiac said loudly and confidently, “I have a few friends.”

“I am bold to admit… he’s a talent. He’s quite compatible with the gamers in some areas. Lord Sherlock, if you employ him, the Dungeon will become more interesting,” Bru suggested as Sherlock looked solemnly at Brainiac.

Brainiac wasn’t able to hear Bru’s voice.

“Is it convenient to ask you about your salary expectations?” Sherlock asked.

“I know your Dungeon has just started developing, so I’m expecting 800 Magic Stones per month. I’m willing to accept a month’s probation with 400 Magic Stones salary. The working hours can be from 9am to 8pm with 2 days of rest per week. As I’m employed externally, I won’t ask for other benefits,” Brainiac said.

Sherlock listened attentively and nodded.

“You’re professional, and the salary expectation isn’t high. I’ll consider it carefully. Please return and wait for news.”

“Wait! Lord Sherlock, please tell me the reason for declining my application!”

Brainiac felt he was too emotional and exhaled as he said, “Apologies, I had a bad journey. I really wish to know the reason.”

Sherlock said calmly, “Because you aren’t good enough.”

Sherlock’s words were like a sharp sword filled with sacred light that pierced deep within Brainiac’s soul. He backed up in shock.

The genius of a thousand years had received his life’s first setback. This was the first time someone told him—he wasn’t good enough.