Gamers of the Underworld (Web Novel)

“Lord Sherlock, you have foresight. The gamers will definitely attract the attention of the Garrison Guards if the gamers teach the residents of the old district here,” Bru said to Sherlock when he arrived at the construction site to survey the progress of the construction.

“If we use mission tips and heavy punishments to restrain the gamers’ passionate learning, I feel it’s not a good long term solution. There may be negative repercussions,” Sherlock looked at the working gamers and said worriedly.

“Lord Sherlock, are you misunderstanding the gamers? Passionate learning? The gamers are only interested in the game.” Bru quickly clarified the gamers’ intention.

“They’re fixing a time, location, and group to learn on the forum. In the Dungeon, they work while reciting formulas. If they don’t have a strong passion for learning, I don’t see why they’re doing that.”

Bru quickly said, “Please, believe me, Lord Sherlock. Besides Hemp Rope Technology, the other gamers don’t have a passion for learning. This is a requirement specified by the game. To have a great gaming experience, they started learning seriously. I have seen gamers memorizing complex solutions.”

“But Lord Sherlock, you are correct in saying that restraining the gamers isn’t a long term solution. What shall we do, Lord Sherlock?” Bru asked, but Sherlock didn’t respond.

Sherlock walked to Marco Polo under the envious gazes of the gamers and said to him, “I need to meet the poor residents of the old district. Help me arrange it.”

Marco Polo was taken aback.

[Mission Title: Lord Sherlock’s Order

Mission Description: Carry out Lord Sherlock’s order.

Mission Reward: Improves Lord Sherlock’s impression of you. When you create posts on the discussion forum, the administrator may be watching you.]

After seeing the mission appear before him, Marco Polo shouted excitedly, “Yes!”

…

Sherlock looked at the elderly Gnome, whose eyes were filled with restrained fear, wariness, and bewilderment.

“Greetings, I’m Eternal Kingdom’s Dungeon Lord Sherlock. I’m sure it’s not your first time hearing my name. I’d like to thank you for letting us build the Adventurer’s Guild on your land.”

Compared to the wariness of the elderly Gnome, Sherlock was casual. The elderly Gnome said, “We’ve heard of your big name. Your servants are different from the servants of other Dungeons. They…”

“They don’t think that natural sciences are dangerous subjects. Most of them are knowledgeable, and some of them have Sacred Light. Are you saying that?”

Sherlock noticed the elderly Gnome hesitating, and he continued to speak, “Truth be told, I’m a special superior Devil. I don’t abhor the Power of Sacred Light. When I was exploring the Surface World, I had some good friends who were Grand Priests, like so and so.” Sherlock explained and said, “I ordered Marco Polo to meet up with you, so don’t be wary of me.”

The elderly Gnome bowed to Sherlock and said, “Respectable Lord Sherlock, please pardon me for my disrespect. I’m in awe of your servant’s knowledge. In order to accommodate these servants, I believe you must be very different from other Devils.”

“Thank you for your trust.” Sherlock nodded at the elderly Gnome as a return gesture. Then he said, “I feel sympathy for you for choosing the most dangerous belief in the Underworld. Your fortitude is admirable, but it will cause incidents one of these days. From what I know, the learning activities of your residents and my servants have been reported to the authorities.”

“Reported to the authorities? Impossible! We have a great passion for learning. It’s impossible for them not to like learning!” the elderly Gnome said firmly, but his eyes flickered.

“When I came just now, I encountered two Garrison Guards who didn’t gain any information. They may come again with more guards.”

The elderly Gnome said, “We will deny vehemently. As long as we deny it and they have no evidence, they can’t do anything to us.”

Sherlock nodded and said, “Indeed. If you insist on your innocence, unless they discover your private collection of learning materials or witness your usage of Sacred Light, they will be unable to take further action. But haven’t you thought about the day when you can learn freely in public?”

“Learn freely in public?”

The elderly Gnome was stunned. Sherlock leaned forward and said in a tempting manner, “A day where there’s no need to hide or use the dark alleys to learn. Where you can even have your own Sacred Light Worshiping Chapel and teach your future generations to study hard every day!”

Sherlock spread out his hands and gestured a beautiful vision. He said convincingly, “Think about it. They could do homework at home daily, take examinations once every two months. They could attend classes daily with no holidays. Don’t you wish for this kind of a life that seems like a dream?”

“But… this is impossible… without the protection of the Dungeon Core, we wouldn’t be able to survive for long. Soon, we would be infested by the Underworld’s ideology and become like the insane Houndhead Men who go around killing creatures.”

The elderly Gnome was dispirited, but Sherlock smiled and said, “Why isn’t it possible? I have trained the Houndhead Men to be construction workers. Haven’t you seen the Houndhead Men? They are my Dungeon’s citizens. If you’re willing, I can give you a chance to realize that dream.”

“Lord Sherlock, what do you mean?”

“You can be my vassals and join Eternal Kingdom. There is a satellite town called Marsh Inkspewer Town. The location is pretty good with serenity, security, hygiene, and scenic views. The place is full of rocks, and it’s relaxing. The wilderness is also packed with millions of Large Lizards moving around. The most important thing is…”

Sherlock smiled and said, “You can freely study and learn, and nobody will care about you. My only desire is… to obtain all the land in the old district.”