Gamers of the Underworld (Web Novel)

Chapter 244: Version 0.24 Update and Strategy Guide Post

“Dungeon: Eternal Kingdom” was a positive game that encouraged gamers to be progressive, law-abiding, and passionate about learning.

Even when a large neutral Dungeon such as Winterfell was opened to the gamers, they wouldn’t do what they wanted like in other sandbox games with a high degree of freedom.

The killing and robbing in Skyrim and the GTA series of games were prohibited in Winterfell.

The Winterfell inhabitants were friendly and unable to attack the gamers. Some prominent private property and objects were being watched under tight security and were unable to be taken by the gamers.

Gamers were still able to interact with non-private objects like sculptures and public decorations. However, the interactive nature of the objects didn’t mean that they could be carried away.

A gamer arrived at the Winterfell Teleport Portal Main Hall via the Teleport Portal. He attempted to remove a long row of chairs to bring back to Eternal Kingdom but was discovered by the guards.

The guards dashed over and shouted at the gamer.

“What are you doing? This is the property of the Merchant Alliance!”

“You aren’t a local? Which Dungeon are you from?”

“I’m from Eternal…”

The gamer was about to show his identity when he blacked out. A row of words appeared before him:

[Due to your flouting of Winterfell’s laws and your attempted betrayal of Eternal Kingdom, your life was terminated. Please create a new character for the game.]

The published announcement wasn’t joking about the severity of its punishment.

Winterfell was a strange environment for the gamers, so they would need time to grow accustomed.

Many gamers tried to get used to the realistic environment in Winterfell. For example, they had to tap their Magic Stone card when boarding the public Beetlemon. Otherwise, they would be chased off the Beetlemon. All the items in the shops had to be paid for using Magic Stones. And the gamers could work in the shops!

Dragonborn, TakeASpearHit, and SealHeadLingChong walked on the streets of Winterfell in the direction of the old district.

If not for the presence of Goblins, Gnomes, and Orcs, from the proximity of buildings, the comprehensive public infrastructure, the prosperous outlook of the street shops, Winterfell was like a real city in the otherworld.

Things that could be done in a real city could also be done in Winterfell, including finding a job!

The entrances of shops were filled with recruitment notices, and they weren’t for show. If the gamers enquired, they could obtain application forms. It was extremely refreshing for the gamers to experience various types of gameplay.

The three of them applied for part-time work at a Blacksmith Shop called Only Have More Expensive Stuff.

The application process went like this:

The Stone Golem shopkeeper said, “Welcome, our shop is having a hundred year anniversary event. All products are on sale, and there are benefits packages… Houndhead Man!”

Dragonborn asked, “Are you hiring?”

TakeASpearHit said, “What about a Houndhead Man? Though I’m a Houndhead Man, I’m a gentle person. Don’t be prejudiced against me!”

SealheadLingChong said, “Don’t worry, if the Houndhead Man does anything funny, I’ll kill him.”

The Stone Golem shopkeeper then said, “Work hours are from 9 am to 12 pm. Apprentices don’t have salaries. Food is provided but not lodging. However, I will allow you to sleep at the shop entrance. Young lads should learn more skills and bear hardships. Don’t think of a high salary all the time. Be humble and train hard. When you’re being conned, you will then feel better. We don’t take Houndhead Men.”

TakeASpearHit swore vulgarly.

…

In the Dungeon Lord Main Hall of Eternal Kingdom.

Sherlock sat in front of the computer and browsed the gamers’ replies to his new post:

[DEVILdark: Gamers have to support themselves?]

[DawnGazing: Wait, it that a BUG? What if we cannot enter Winterfell? Pay Magic Stones. What if we don’t have Magic Stones? Earn the Magic Stones in the Dungeon?]

[s? 5? e? 2: I completed the design. Take a look (picture) (picture) (picture). These are only drafts. The details will be discussed in the game.]

[Angmar: Show us the Winterfell laws. Lousy game producer, is that intentional?]

[BiteBeforeDrinking: We have to work our livers off to build the Main Hall.]

[DreamingWarEmperor: Business simulator??? The game producer is a genius.]

[TreacherousIntention: Be reasonable. Why are you not opening up the channel for topping up our accounts?]

The gamers were fully supportive of the updates, and they were fully engrossed in the discussion.

“Lord Sherlock, are you going to replace the current coin system with Magic Stones?” Bru asked as Sherlock was engrossed with the computer.

“Of course not. The coin system is my method to exchange for the Magic Stones held by the gamers. If I use the Magic Stone system, I don’t have enough Magic Stones to reward the gamers.” Sherlock objected without hesitation.

“If we use large amounts of Magic Stones to exchange for game currency, it will cause severe inflation, and prices will skyrocket. Many gamers will be unhappy. We have to take precautions.” Bru suggested, “I feel that the exchange of Magic Stones should be restricted to Reputation Points, the purchase of Legendary Equipment, and in-game services.”

“Your suggestion is good. I’ll consider it carefully.”

Sherlock nodded and browsed the discussion forum. The gamers were efficient in coming up with Strategy Guides. Within half a day of the announcement being published, there were various Strategy Guides. A few Strategy Guides were extremely popular. One of them was NotWearingPants’ Strategy Guide:

[Strategy Guide: New Scene, Winterfell.]

“๑•⌄•๑ Hello everyone, I’m NotWearingPants!

I’m writing a Strategy Guide again!

‘Dungeon’ had numerous updates. Winterfell, a Dungeon that seemed out of reach to gamers, is now opened for exploration.

That is correct, we can enter Winterfell via the Teleport Portal!

Before entering Winterfell, there are a few disclaimers:

1. Entering Winterfell requires Magic Stones unless you are a member of the Eternal Kingdom Adventurer’s Guild. The joining fee is ten silver coins. Since we don’t have Magic Stones, we can only pay the ten silver coins.

2. Shopping in Winterfell requires Magic Stones. The game coins used by the gamers cannot be used.

3. Don’t think that Magic Stones are more important than game coins. According to my experience, buying equipment in Winterfell using Magic Stones isn’t as good as using Reputation Points and game coins to purchase equipment in Eternal Kingdom. Moreover, there isn’t much of a quality difference.

4. Gamers have to abide by the laws. That includes not killing, robbing, or committing arson. However, we aren’t prohibited from scolding with vulgarities. That is good.

The Magic Stone system is an important part of the new currency system. It’s likely to be the symbol of rich gamers. From the gaming trends, many gamers will try to earn Magic Stones from NPCs. Furthermore, Magic Stones are the only currency for the Guild gameplay.

Next, the types of gameplay in Winterfell.

The game officials didn’t introduce the types of gameplay in Winterfell. I don’t think they are lazy, as there are simply too many types of gameplay for them to start.

From my experience, if I didn’t know that this was a game, I would mistake it for a real otherworld.

That’s because the behavior of the NPCs is too realistic. Though gamers are unable to commit crimes in Winterfell, we can freely interact with the NPCs, which don’t conform to any templates. They are like a unique individual in the real world. When you try to talk to them, they will be reluctant to speak. Even if they speak to you, they won’t be enthusiastic. If you say strange things or scold them, they will bear a grudge against you.

Besides the interactivity with the NPCs, there are other types of gameplay.

You can visit a restaurant to have a meal or go to the shops to buy things. You can even enjoy various services like tattooing, perming of hair, and massage. You only need to pay using Magic Stones.

Basically, you can do anything in Winterfell the same way you can do in the real world. This is the awesome part of this game. This game is like a second life.

I will discuss the concern of all gamers—earning Magic Stones!

The Eternal Kingdom Adventurer’s Guild is still in the design stage. A lot of veteran gamers have posted their designs and ideas. We also received missions to visit the actual site to take physical measurements.

Today, we went to the old district and met Marco Polo. He gained the support of the NPCs in the old district. Our Guild location and the shop front were provided by the NPCs. The more knowledge you have, the more respect you will gain from these NPCs.

The creatures outside the old district are different, they will capture you instead! Please remember this!

Since the Eternal Kingdom Adventurer’s Guild isn’t completed, depending on the Adventurer’s Guild to earn money isn’t possible. However, there are plenty of chances to work in Winterfell.

There are so many professions available. There must be one that suits us, for example, the carrying of bricks!

I’m recommending a few good construction sites that we have researched. The benefits are pretty good:

(Map1) (Map2) (Map3)

Or you can go to other places to do odd jobs or become apprentices. But these jobs provide very few Magic Stones, like tens of Magic Stones per month. That is even less than a hundred Magic Stones. Carrying bricks will let you earn ten Magic Stones per day.

To the commoners, carrying bricks is the most profitable job. That’s the same as reality!

Being an apprentice will allow you to learn a life skill like Blacksmithing and Carpentry.

To learn more skills, I found an Alchemy Shop to become an apprentice. I worked five hours daily without a salary, but I learned skills. I think I didn’t make a loss—in reality, I’m being conned!

Lousy game producer! You haven’t learned anything. You came up with these devious gimmicks to ensnare the gamers.

Forget it. This is only a game. It’s not worth getting angry.

As time is limited, there are many things that we are unable to experience. I will systematically go through the things to note in Winterfell:

1. Speaking nonsense isn’t unlawful but will invite beatings. Don’t spread rumors as it’s against the law. A gamer tried, and his account was frozen for a few hours.

2. Don’t eat without paying or steal other patrons’ food. This is against the law. Your account will be frozen for a few hours.

3. Don’t try multi-level marketing on the NPCs. Your account will be frozen.

4. We haven’t tried swindling, but I suggest not to because the NPCs are very realistic. Their lives are pretty hard, so I cannot bear to swindle them.

5. Exhibit a good attitude when applying for jobs, just like in real life. The chance of succeeding will be higher.

6. If you do away with your salary, the chance of success is 90%.

7. Play the game like how you live in the real world.

8. I will leave it blank. I will add once I think of it (Manual Comedy)

The Third Beta Testing is starting soon, and many gamers will log into ‘Dungeon’. Opening up Winterfell at this critical juncture is for the First Beta and Second Beta gamers to stress test the environment and gameplay. If you discover good types of gameplay, please post them on the discussion forum for everyone to discuss.

I hope the Third Beta Test will commence soon. I’m doing an :

The Pioneer Alliance Guild is the only Guild for First Beta Gamers. We have the only Dark Rider, the rich Arthur, and the best gaming instructions and Strategy Guides. Our feet-scratching receptionist, Sylvanas, will personally welcome you. We have the most luxurious Guild land (in the process of excavation), the most advanced technology with the help of Hemp Rope Technology (the most powerful Sacred Knight), and the highest number of rich gamers!

We are providing more benefits in the future. What are you waiting for? Join us quickly!

Looking forward to the completion of the Eternal Kingdom Adventurer’s Guild. I cannot wait to become an adventurer! I will post the Strategy Guide at the earliest opportunity. Look out for my post!

Let me challenge the Devil King!

That’s all, folks. I’m going to play the game.”