Gamers of the Underworld

Chapter 35: Chapter One Mission
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

The Houndhead Men had appeared at the Spider’s Lair entrance, attacked the gamers and blockaded the Dungeon entrance!

This shocking event caused a chain reaction in the discussion forum.

There was lots of speculation regarding the monsters’ invasion.

In NotWearingPants’ [Speculation about Monsters’ Invasion Mission], he narrated the happenings and posted the details in [Monsters’ Invasion, Protect the Eternal Kingdom Dungeon]. The gamers discussed this excitedly in the forum.

[Rhyme: The game’s BUG must be the Code Monkey’s fault. The game was not tested properly before being released. Let’s kill the Code Monkey to appease the Gods. 〈( ̄) ̄)〈]

[Code Monkey: Σ(°△°|||)_]

[Carefree Flight: How can that be? The game has given out missions on the Monsters’ Invasion for full-time gamers. There must be a follow-up mission. This is most likely due to a hidden mission being unlocked. Alternatively, maybe the game planned the Monsters’ Invasion today.]

[Peak of Aboriginal God: There’s this possibility: I feel like it’s a bug since the gamers were unable to fend off the creatures. It’s not logical, and there was no warning of the invasion. There are notices in other games.]

[Poor Otaku: “Dungeon: Eternal Kingdom” is not like other games. This is the first Virtual Reality Online Game using the game capsule. It mimics reality. Even the sensation of pain is simulated like reality. The gamers did not turn it on to torture themselves. The sudden invasion was in-line with reality.]

[Adorable Eating Stuff: It’s no use discussing our heads off. Can we play? o( ̄ヘ̄o#)]

…

Sherlock returned to the Dungeon after checking out the Houndhead Men. He browsed the official forum and almost got addicted. Then, he stopped browsing and started editing his post:
“The Eternal Kingdom is a newly developed Dungeon. Under the evil, cruel, unscrupulous, greedy and violent leadership of Lord Sherlock, the Dungeon has thus far developed very quickly! However, the beautiful Dungeon is now under a serious threat!

“The hidden Underground Houndhead Men have attacked Eternal Kingdom without warning!

“Citizens of the Eternal Kingdom, take up your weapons! For the future and freedom of Eternal Kingdom, we shall fight! For the evil, cruel, unscrupulous, greedy and violent Lord Sherlock!”

“Lord Sherlock, may I share my opinion?”

When Sherlock finished editing the content, Bru hesitated before saying, “Could we shorten the adjectives? Maybe we can change ‘evil, cruel, unscrupulous, greedy and violent’ to ‘brilliant and brave Lord Sherlock’?”

Sherlock muttered, “Am I boasting too much?”

“No, no, no. How could you be boasting? They are the truth, but considering the otherworld’s culture, they might not be used to so many adjectives. Brilliant and brave are most appropriate words to describe you.”

Sherlock removed some words and continued editing.

Sherlock completed the Main Plot storyline with the assistance of Bru. After checking, he published it on the official website and discussion forum.

“In the dark unknown Underworld, Eternal Kingdom is a newly developed Dungeon. Under the brilliant and brave leadership of Sherlock, the Dungeon has developed rapidly! However, the Dungeon has encountered a serious threat!

“The Houndhead Men Tribe which was hidden deep within the Spiders’ Lair attacked Eternal Kingdom without warning. The Eternal Kingdom is under serious threat! There is no time to find out the cause!

“Citizens of the Eternal Kingdom, take up your weapons! For the future and freedom of Eternal Kingdom, we shall fight! For the brilliant and brave Lord Sherlock!”

[Mission Title: Chapter One, Eternal Kingdom Dungeon, Leader of Houndhead Men, Cramer

Mission Objective: Take up your weapons. For Lord Sherlock and Eternal Kingdom, destroy the Houndhead Men Tribe and obtain the skull of their leader, Cramer!

Reward: Gamers who are involved in the battles will be given one of the three levels of reward based on battle performance.

Bronze Reward: Gamers with ordinary contribution will receive 100 bronze coins and 100 Reputation Points.

Silver Reward: Gamers with excellent contribution will receive 300 bronze coins and 300 Reputation Points.

Gold Reward: Gamers with extraordinary contribution will receive a silver coin and 1000 Reputation Points. (Limited to 10 Goblins)

Mission Hint: Cramer is the notorious leader of the Houndhead Men and a demon in the memories of the Underworld citizens. He is very strong and has the protection of the Houndhead Men Tribe. Please be fully prepared before forming an expedition group. Cramer fears Lord Sherlock’s power, so he will not be close to Eternal Kingdom. Gamers can enter the safe area via the Eternal Kingdom. Cramer will attack Goblins on sight.]

[Monster Bestiary]

[Monster Name: Houndhead Man]

(Picture)

Monster Description: A commonly seen Underworld creature with low intelligence and light-phobia. They attack without provocation and often stay in the Spiders’ Lair.

Level: 0–5

Possible Loot: Damaged equipment

Note: Most of the loot can be exchanged for coins at the Dungeon Core Main Hall.

[Monster Name: Cramer (BOSS)]

(Picture)

Monster Description: The notorious leader of the Houndhead Men, Cramer, is the nightmare of the Underworld citizens.

Level: BOSS

Possible Loot: Equipment that requires appraisal

Note: Cramer’s loot requires appraisal that costs certain coins. You must have the required Reputation to wield them.

After checking, Sherlock published the notice.

Bru announced the reward for the Houndhead Men leader, Cramer, via the system notice to all gamers. The monster bestiary was only available on the official forum and website.

The gamers received Bru’s mission when they were discussing where the Houndhead Men came from and whether there would be hidden missions.

“It’s finally out! This Mission Description — is this a chain mission?”

“Finally, is this a Main Plot Mission?”

“It’s the first chapter. It must be the Main Plot Mission.”

“The first Main Plot Mission is difficult. Isn’t the first Chapter Main Plot Mission usually just a basic mission?”

“This game has been hardcore for more than two days, and you are only complaining now that it’s hard?”

“What do we do? Shall we form expedition groups?”

“We were just annihilated, and our equipment is incomplete. Let’s carry bricks and prepare our equipment.”

“I want to go! Bring me along!”

“Make haste! Shall we discuss how to fight?”

The gamers discussed excitedly everyday. The Beta Gamers had the advantage, and NotWearingPants became the forum leader. After some heated discussion, everyone came to a conclusion—Find out more about the enemy.

Defeating the Houndhead Men was a difficult challenge. The leader, Cramer, wielded a large hammer. Even when the Goblins were using shields, they were unable to withstand the blow from the hammer. The shield perhaps would not be damaged, but their arms would be shattered. With a second blow, the Goblins would either be killed or maimed.

Though the Houndhead Men were strong, they were not invincible. As long as the gamers continued to observe, they were confident they could come up with the appropriate tactics.

When they had encountered the Spiders, hadn’t the Spiders also felt invincible? Hadn’t they triumphed over the Spiders in the end?

How could the game make the mission impossible to complete? Unless it was a system bug that made gamers unable to complete the mission!

The gamers used their own ways to find out more about the enemy!