Who Designed This Underworld Dungeon?

"This kinda stuff should just be enjoyed in small scope? What a joke, you selfish guy,"

Gong Qiying's finger hovered over the "Available Monster", almost unable to resist throwing a Molten Furnace Knight over.

Everyone has their selfish moments, he could understand that.

After spying on Steeran for days, he felt that Steeran's character looked pretty decent, and he felt good interacting with her, so he decided to observe a little longer.

"Do you want to monopolize this place?" Ellie asked.

"Don't you think this is a godsend, Ellie," Danya's eyes sparkled with fervor, "You and I are stuck at Copper Rank and can't go up, isn't it because we're not strong enough, aren't capable of completing the promotion tasks? With this bonfire, we could perhaps grow into Gold Level!"

He grew more excited as he spoke, and all sorts of past memories surfaced in his mind.

"It's only because Steeran kindly pitied you that you could stay in the Silver Rank team. Steeran and Huynh, they both can complete tasks that would require five or six people, so why let you join?"

"Psh, you're just a useless member coasting on the experience in the Silver Rank team,"

"Can't even complete a promotion task? Clearly, you don't have the talent to be an adventurer, you're still quick on your feet, right? Maybe you should just run errands,"

Thinking of this, he suddenly pulled out a dagger, thinking of going back to kill Monsters to level up.

"Danya!"

Steeran grabbed his shoulder and said, "Are you serious? Do you really think, just you, just us could monopolize the bonfire?"

At this point, Huynh also said, "Everyone can explore the Dungeon, this place is a vital passageway, sooner or later someone will find it, we're just lucky to be a bit faster than others,"

"Exactly," Ellie chimed in, "Like Steeran said, the 'Madar' that helped her must have known about this place long ago, maybe others too..."

"..."

Danya paused for a while then said, "Then I'll go tell the Lord... to take control of this place!"

"Slap—"

A crisp slap, Steeran slapped his face.

"Good job!" Gong Qiying gave her a thumbs up from afar, outstanding person from an otherworld!

"Are you crazy?"

Facing Danya's bewildered gaze, Steeran angrily said, "Didn't you ever consider that the Bed Family might arrest you, arrest us all? Do you think those nobles would be so kind as to forbid everyone else but let you in?"

"Ah....."

Danya's mouth hung open, his gaze clearing up, and he said in a daze, "Then what should I do, if the Lord finds out about the bonfire through other adventurers, what if he sends guards to protect this place..."

"Danya, oh Danya, think about it, what are you most proud of?" Steeran poked his forehead, frustrated as if trying to forge steel from iron.

"My forehead?" he said, dumbly.

"It's your damn connections!"

Steeran really wanted to slap him again.

"Don't forget your profession is a Shadow Walker, every Shadow Walker is a member of the Shadow Brotherhood, a group that's the best in the world at stirring up news!"

"How can you describe the great Brotherhood as just a group—"

"Shut up!"

"Oh..." Danya didn't dare to make a peep.

The so-called Shadow Brotherhood, while it sounds like an assassin organization, it's actually...

a paparazzi team!

The members worship the goddess of "Shadow Joy," and they like to create big news whenever they can, such as secretly using cameras to capture the chaotic private lives of the nobility, or exposing that a certain Legendary Mage once peddled fake goods in his youth, or that the Archbishop of the Holy Light Church is actually heterosexual and doesn't like little boys.

The organization's funds come from various major newspapers, and as long as there is major news, the compensation is quite substantial. Every Shadow Walker is willing to provide news for the brotherhood.

Danya is one of them. Although he has never created major news, surprisingly, he is very well-liked, and he can talk with the leaders of the organization!

"We only have one way to oppose the Lord,"

Steeran said vehemently:

"Spread the matter of the bonfire far and wide, let everyone know, and make the Bed Family afraid to risk public outrage by blocking the Dungeon!"

"Clap clap clap..."

Gong Qiying kept applauding. It was brilliant, truly brilliant. Although he did not know about the Shadow Brotherhood, he still appreciated Steeran's brave demeanor.

He had also considered the scenario where the local Lord would block the Sain Dungeon for his own selfish desires, which was the plotline he absolutely could not accept.

So, he had a backup plan.

"They also reminded me that the feudal nobility is famously greedy; I should move my plan forward,"

As the bells rang in the Dungeon, he tapped the stone altar beneath him and muttered to himself:

"Old Jack, come see me immediately,"

Bed City, Lamb Corn Tavern.

The tavern was bursting with a cheerful atmosphere. Several wealthy patrons had bought rounds for everyone, and everyone was drinking joyfully. The scent of alcohol and hormones filled the air, and even a Magician set off a few fireworks to add to the excitement, while jugglers tossed colorful balls all around.

The lean Jack sat in the place of honor, an attractive girl on each arm showing off their thighs, and even a maid stood behind him to feed him fruit, he couldn't look more dashing and carefree.

Today was truly the pinnacle of his life.

"Come on, Master Jack, a toast to you," said a wealthy fat man adorned with gold and silver, one of the generous patrons. "I owe it to you for today's great fun in the Dungeon. I'll definitely have to introduce you to my good brothers when we return,"

"Oh, oh, Mr. Arthur, you flatter me," Jack quickly bowed, fawning, "You could have enjoyed the Dungeon without me,"

"That's impossible, without you, I would've died," Arthur waved his hand. "That swamp is just like your backyard, you knew exactly where the pits were, saved me several times, truly deserving of this 'Master' title,"

Jack grinned, quite pleased with himself.

That day, Sekman, who had been pursuing him, was arrested and jailed for hundreds of years. He had no more concerns in Bed City, so he decided to stay.

But what to do after staying? He was already on the guards' surveillance list, so black market dealings were out of the question. Adventurers whom he'd duped also found him to settle their debts, demanding compensation.

Caught in a difficult situation, his master, Gong Qiying, spoke.

He was to become a Dungeon guide, specifically guiding people through the swamp area.

Jack dared not refuse. He had some skills in memorization and remembered the vast swamp area crystal clear.

Initially, only a few people believed he could lead a team through the swamp, as the old man looked too dry and incapable.

But as he guided a few teams through the swamp for free, with very few casualties, people's views drastically changed, and they began calling him "Old Mister" instead of "that old man," and more and more sought him out to guide.

Jack then took up the business of wealthy clients, like Arthur in front of him, a rich merchant who always longed for the thrilling adventurer life. Hearing of Jack's reputation, he hired him for a thrilling yet safe Dungeon trip and was very satisfied.

Some tried to imitate Jack, copying his guide routes, but either they bumped into Unexpected Monsters or fell into new traps. In contrast, Jack always returned safely.

It was definitely not a Dungeon Lord manipulating things behind the scenes ()

Slowly, even his skeptics had to admire him, and Jack's days got better and better. His fear of Gong Qiying gradually diminished, replaced by respect.

"Drink, everyone drink,"

Jack raised his glass for a toast, and just then, a voice echoed in his mind.

His expression changed immediately.