Gamers of the Underworld

Brainiac walked into the Dungeon Core Main Hall and closed the door.

The loud chattering of the Goblins was shielded by the walls of the Dungeon Core Main Hall.

Sherlock sat in a chair and snapped his fingers.

The pen started to write on the paper. They were originally intended for Brainiac’s interview letter, but now they were used for Brainiac’s contract.

Brainiac was still astonished by what he saw and heard in the Dungeon. He was pondering what kind of power was supporting the Goblins. Even at the brink of death, they weren’t willing to take a rest.

A sense of responsibility? Love for Eternal Kingdom?

He couldn’t figure out, and he couldn’t understand.

While he was pondering over the questions, Sherlock had drafted their contract, which was drifting slowly to Brainiac. Sherlock said, “As you’ve seen, Eternal Kingdom is vastly different from other Dungeons, so the rules will be different. If you can accept the terms, sign your name and the contract will be completed. You may start work immediately.”

The contents of the contract were:

“Party A: Eternal Kingdom Dungeon Lord, Sherlock

Party B: (Please write your name and sign)

According to the ‘Underworld Labor Contract General Rule’ and related conventions, Party A and B have come to an agreement and are willing to sign the contract and follow the terms of the contract.

1. The duration of the External Employment Contract, with the ‘Underworld Labour Contract General Rule’ as a guide, is set at a year.

2. Job Description:

Party B agrees to the job requirements of Party A, which is the work of a Lich.

Party B fulfills the skill level requirements as indicated by Party A.

3. Both parties are to work for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

4. Party A will pay Party B Magic Stones per month at a rate of 0 Magic Stones per month.

5. There is no overtime pay.

6. There are no benefits and rest during holidays.

7. Party B can freely engage in research projects in Eternal Kingdom that are not destructive to Party A.

8. Party B must maintain confidentiality regarding all matters pertaining to Party A within the contract period.

9. Party B shall maintain absolute loyalty to Party A.

10. Party B’s Beetlemon will be fed by Party A. While the Beetlemon is fed by Party A, the Beetlemon has to perform manual labor.

11. If there is no permission granted from Party A, Party B is not to engage in private conversations with the Dungeon citizens.

…

Party A (Official Seal) Party B (Hand Signature)”

With the current contract, Brainiac felt that if he made a complaint to the Merchant Alliance Talent Resource Market, Eternal Kingdom would be blacklisted immediately by the Underworld creatures.

As most of the terms were requested by him, he couldn’t accuse Lord Sherlock of exploiting him.

Brainiac inhaled deeply. After several days of arduous travel and relentless waiting, he only obtained an unfair employment contract.

Brainiac didn’t regret his actions as he believed that he had to pay a price for obtaining knowledge.

As a Lich, he had this belief.

Brainiac took up the pen and signed his name on the contract.

Sherlock took the signed contract from Brainiac and put the contract in his hand while he shook hands with Brainiac.

The shimmering magical seals were engraved on both their hands before they vanished.

“I know your goal in coming to Eternal Kingdom is to learn more things. I can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed.”

Sherlock put away the contract and stood up. Then he walked to the Dungeon Core entrance. When he opened the door, chit-chattering noises were heard from outside.

“Isn’t the maintenance over? Sherlie, please help me heal my leg!”

“Sherlie, help us revive our comrades. We are challenging the Instance Dungeon!”

“Sherlie! Sherlie! Someone Is buried in the ore pit. We can’t get him out. Can he be saved?”

…

Tens of Goblins were seriously wounded or carrying corpses of their comrades who died of various causes. They were covered in the stench of blood, but they weren’t bothered by it. Instead, they were smiling.

He had seen these scenes several times in Specter College, but he couldn’t help but feel his hair stand on end. He even felt fear.

When the Goblins saw a cloaked Skeleton frame standing in the Dungeon Core Main Hall, they became silent. They couldn’t speak either since they were suppressed by Sherlock’s dominant aura.

Sherlock was smiling while his back faced the bloody Goblins. He made a welcome pose to Brainiac.

“Welcome to Eternal Kingdom, our harmonious big family.”

Sherlock raised his hand to heal a damaged corpse, who sat up immediately. The word “Peasant” was above his head. The Goblin looked dazed at his surroundings.

“This will be your job from now on, Brainiac.”

…

The forum was overwhelmed with posts created by non-Beta Gamers.

[In the Dungeon Core Main Hall, Sherlie was alone with a Skeleton Lich. Was Sherlie’s behavior immoral or his nature distorted?]

[Speculation of the game’s plot, secret ties between Sherlie and a Lich. A possible revolt of Eternal Kingdom!]

[A probable guess, the Lich is defecting to Eternal Kingdom!]

…

The news of Brainiac’s appearance in the Dungeon Core Main Hall sparked many different speculations which could only be confirmed by an official announcement.

To the gamers, adding a new NPC would entail a new game plot. An official announcement was swiftly published in the discussion forum.

[“Dungeon: Eternal Kingdom” Version 0.04 Update Log]

“‘Dungeon: Eternal Kingdom’ Version 0.04 Update Log, new content was updated.

Added new NPC, Lich Brainiac: A Lich from the Specter College. He was described as a genius that appears once in a thousand years. After being influenced by Lord Sherlock’s charisma, he traveled to Eternal Kingdom after a difficult journey. He will replace Lord Sherlock to heal the gamers’ injuries and revive corpses. Repaired the frequent dysfunctional Revival System.

Added new mission, Brainiac’s Research: Brainiac has a strong curiosity. Besides working for Lord Sherlock, he is also doing some Creature Research.

During the process of Revival, Brainiac will be doing some strange experimentations. Whatever he does to the gamers, please do not be alarmed. There will be a reward after experimentation.

Added a new BUG, Failed Research: During Brainiac’s research, it is possible to create an irreversible BUG. If the BUG causes you not to be able to move normally, please inform Bru or Lord Sherlock. The probability of this happening is low, but what if it happens?

Added new building rule, Building Blueprint Audit: Lord Sherlock would like to encourage the citizens of Eternal Kingdom to express their creativity and ensure that the beauty of Eternal Kingdom is preserved. He is allowing every gamer to design the Dungeon buildings, including the Living Quarters of the gamers and NPCs, and even the future Commercial Areas.

Before actual construction, the design has to be audited by the Dungeon Core.

Audited blueprints of buildings will be subject to a day of polling. The design with the highest votes will be the official blueprint and will be constructed by the gamers. There is no voting for Living Quarter blueprints.

Added new Creature, Beetlemon: The Beetlemon from Winterfell is huge and cute, but don’t be squashed by its legs. There will be missions for feeding the Beetlemon.

Added new Blacksmith function, Reforging: Gamers who obtained equipment from the Instance Dungeon will be able to reforge the equipment at the Blacksmith Shop. This function is already online. This is just an announcement.”

Since it was an official announcement, there were overwhelming replies from the gamers.

[I predict this book would become popular: Let’s make bets that the Beta Gamers will agitate the Lich until he goes on strike!]

[American wild dog: Strike? Impossible to strike. Only 007 could sustain such a horrible lifestyle.]

[Without day and night: Wait, why are you adding a BUG? Is that how you handle a BUG? You should patch the BUG! Nonsense! (╯#-_-)╯]

[Something is not right when the buttocks are up: Is this your first time encountering nonsense from the game producers?]

[BurningChestHair: Whether he is a brainiac or a flunkie, please don’t have frequent maintenance of the Revival System. I will be thankful for that.]

[Ice-sealed Luochen: BUG? Irreversible failed experimentation? I don’t believe you unless you give me Beta Tester status to test it out! (๑•̀ᄇ•́)و✧]

[BreathingButWeak: The lousy producers are afraid of us bombing the Dungeon, so they come up with Building Blueprint Auditing?]

[Tax evasion makes me female: Wait, wasn’t the background of the Specter College recently reinstalled? What’s the deal with the once-in-a-thousand-year genius?]

[Burning Silly Egg: Isn’t it normal for a gaming company to cheap out on a games background? Look at the previous comment on Specter College (σ’ω’)σ]

[Cute Lulu: Beetlemon? Is the transportation system being released?]

While the gamers were discussing everything excitedly on the forum, the Beta Gamers were surrounding the NPC, Brainiac. They were staring at him mercilessly and doing all sorts of probing.