Gamers of the Underworld (Web Novel)

Chapter 24: Beta Testing Advance Notice: Winterfell Merchant Band!

In the discussion forum, whenever the Beta Gamers published a post, there would be a huge number of replies and clicks. If the content was closely related to “Dungeon: Eternal Kingdom”, then the responses would be even more frenzied. The post by Peasant had an eye-catching title: [Beta Gamer Exposé! I discovered a shocking secret of the Dungeon…] Even Sherlock was puzzled. What shocking secret had he discovered about the Dungeon?

Sherlock clicked on the post and saw a large photograph. It was a full body photo of Simba holding a hammer. It looked like he had posed for it.

(Picture)

It was followed by Peasant’s post contents.

“Woah! I accidentally discovered an Eternal Kingdom hidden plot! It goes like this:

A few days ago, when I was mining and carrying ores, I discovered an Adamantine ore vein. Sherlie gave me a handsome reward that consisted of a silver coin (a silver coin is equivalent of a thousand bronze coins. What a windfall!), a thousand Reputation Points, and a set of armor and a weapon. I intended to use a new pickaxe to mine, but the system did not allow me to do that. When I tried to mine, the system would give me a warning and stop me from mining.

Since the ore vein was not mined, there should be a following plot! I thought maybe I had to complete a hidden mission to unlock the hidden plot. After trying for a few days, I discovered the hidden plot!

Since it’s an ore vein, then it should be related to the Blacksmith. I loitered around the Blacksmith Shop and tried chatting with Simba, but he ignored me. Later, I saw a letter in the Blacksmith Shop!

I secretly took a snapshot for your viewing pleasure:

‘Brother, I went to another Dungeon to find work, and I am currently waiting for news. I had just returned home yesterday when I received your letter. Lord Sherlock must be very wealthy to recruit a hundred Goblins! Could you recommend me to Lord Sherlock again? If only I could work together with you in the Eternal Kingdom. I heard from the ‘Don’t have the most expensive stuff’ boss that a Merchant Band will be setting out tomorrow with a batch of pickaxes and that they will be passing by your Dungeon. Mum asked me to pass the pastry to the Merchant Band to deliver to you. Take care when you work outside. Will you be continuing your contract after three months? I am envious of your job. I will work hard. Brother, you have to work hard too!’

A Merchant Band will be coming to our Dungeon! This must be the follow-up plot of the Adamantine Ore vein! The batch of pickaxes must be for mining the ore!

Maybe we can even do business with this Merchant Band! Perhaps there will be other missions and chances to accumulate special items or exchange for rare items! It will not be long before the start of the Merchant Band plot! Do stockpile your bronze coins and materials as you may exchange for good stuff!”

[Volcano Stick King: Is the Merchant Band coming? Seems like a new update is coming!]

[Those who played ‘The Unforgiven’ are stupid: Can a guide be written on the things that can be exchanged with the Merchant Band? I would like to take a look!]

[Dazed fool: I feel like playing the game!!!!!!!]

[Hollander stealing large dragon: I did not expect Simba to have a brother and a mum. The NPC background is too perfect. Is Simba going to work in the Eternal Kingdom for three months? I like this NPC a lot!]

[Chick calcification: When you play in the Open Beta and Simba destroys tens of your weapons, you will not like him any more.]

[Hearthstone gamer: This is killing me. Only tens of weapons? My weapons that were destroyed in DNF were worth an Audi A6!]

[Farewell after three lifetimes: I believe the previous comment!]

…

The post had been published less than half an hour ago and already had tens of pages of replies.

Sherlock understood what was happening after reading the post. On the second day of work, Simba had recommended his brother for work in Eternal Kingdom. The letter was sent by his brother. Simba had placed it in the Blacksmith Shop, and the letter was seen by Peasant.

Sherlock had not expected the gamers to be that happy about the coming Merchant Band. However, there were problems.

Sherlock was not concerned about the visit of the Merchant Band. If things went according to his plan, he would let the gamers mine the Adamantine Ore and would exchange the Ore for Magic Stones. If he needed more Magic Stones, he would mine more Adamantine Ore to exchange before bidding farewell to the merchants.

When the Merchant Band arrived, the gamers would ask the merchants a lot of questions, and he would have to give explanations. For example, they could ask, “Why didn’t the Merchant Band accept bronze coins?” or “Where can we obtain the Magic Stones?”. How was Sherlock going to explain? He felt that it was a tricky situation.

Sherlock did not want the Merchant Band to know that the Goblins were gamers from the otherworld. However, if the gamers brought their bronze coins and spoke strangely, it would make the merchants suspicious. What if the merchants discovered the gamers’ secret?

Sherlock had to plan properly to prevent complications as it could have adverse effects on the Dungeon.

Sherlock closed the discussion forum on the computer and held his arm as he pondered. He came up with a solution and shouted for Bru. Bru was more knowledgeable about the otherworld’s culture.

Bru listened quietly to Sherlock and pondered a while before saying, “Dungeon Lord, you can package the Merchant Band’s visit as a game activity. Choose an item that is not expensive and available in large quantities. Then, you can let the gamers exchange Spider Leg, Silk, Meat and other underground creatures’ skin and fur with the merchants for that item.”

“That’s correct. I intend to discuss with the Merchant Band and fix the price of the designated items that the gamers can trade with the merchants. Hence, the Magic Stones will not be required, and it won’t make the merchants suspicious on why we are using metal coins as currency in the Dungeon. We can announce this activity on the official website to direct the gamers’ actions. As long as they have missions and rewards, they will be happy.”

“This is a feasible solution. Lord Sherlock, you have to discuss the exchange price with the merchants and inform them not to engage in other trades with the gamers, especially the Adamantine Ores. Specify that only Lord Sherlock or your designated trader can trade in the ore.” Bru was worried, so he reminded Sherlock.

“Don’t worry, the Merchant Band is very principled. They only deal with the Dungeon Lord and the designated spokesperson, not the servants of the Dungeon. This prevents treasure and precious material theft from the Dungeon in exchange for Magic Stones.”

Bru said immediately, “I’ll follow your instructions. When the Merchant Band is near our Dungeon, I’ll inform you beforehand. Lord Sherlock, try not to choose an expensive item for the gamers to trade. Since the Merchant Band will only stay for a few days, if it is too expensive, the gamers won’t be able to exchange for the items using their basic materials in time. If the mission is out of reach, they will be angry like how they condemned the previous equipment improvement plan. The storage capacity of the merchants is also limited. They might not want to accept large quantities of Spider Legs and meat.”

Sherlock nodded. Like what Bru said, he had to consider the merchants’ capacity and their limits. The details had to be ironed out during the discussion with the Merchant Band.

Sherlock confirmed his plans, and with Bru’s help, he published a new announcement on the official website—

[“Dungeon: Eternal Kingdom” Beta Testing Activity Advance Notice: Winterfell Merchant Band!]

“All gamers! “Dungeon: Eternal Kingdom” The Beta Testing has been carried out smoothly for half a month! We have gradually rolled out new features, functional NPCs, new settings, areas and equipment improvement. The Beta Testing has also included weapons, armor, shields, character fatigue, death penalty and combat system. The response towards this game is very enthusiastic. The production team would like to express our gratitude and joy. Thank you for validating our efforts!

New announcement! The Winterfell Merchant Band!

The Merchant Band from Winterfell will be staying in our Dungeon for a few days. We will open up a new item exchange service and release details of the exchange items on the official website and forum. Please kindly wait in anticipation and… prepare to work very hard!”

Sherlock checked the contents of the announcement. After confirming there were no errors, he published the announcement.