123 I Am Still a Child (1/2)
Sherlock was still planning a comprehensive Mana System to make the gamers work diligently when the forum exploded with activity.
A novice gamer, LeatherBear, created a post.
[Sensational news! The Dragon and Dungeon are standard configurations! A Dragon was found while excavating the ruins!]
As for the other posts…
[The lousy game producers make updates secretly!] (Calling the post creator)
[Veteran Raintea discovered a new profession!] (Calling the post creator)
[Detailed methods on how to fawn on the Blacksmith.] (Calling the post creator)
Sherlock was going to read these posts later since he was curious what the silly gamers would write. He was surprised that a Dragon had appeared in the Dungeon.
Due to the appearance of the Dragon, he didn't receive many replies. Everyone's attention was focused on the Dragon.
The content of LeatherBear's post was simple, it was just a blurred picture of the Dragon.
LeatherBear said that a few of the gamers were captured in the dark, black house and then thrown out soon after. They were puzzled as to what had happened. Some gamers stayed back to stand guard, while others went to get more gamers to observe.
Sherlock closed the pages of the forum and made use of the Dungeon Core to observe the gamers.
In the surveillance images, a group of Goblins were inside the dark Ancestral Ruins. They organized themselves into five orderly queues that passed through the entire Ancestral Ruins.
They walked consecutively towards the room. Veteran gamers were maintaining order at the sides of the queues.
”Those at the back, catch up. Go in five at a time. Don't let too many go in at the same time. The floor's not stable. If it collapses, it'll be disastrous. Open your eyes widely once you're inside. Whoever sees it will shout!” a fully armored Goblin with the words ”Elite First Beta Gamer” above his head said to the queuing Goblins.
Inside the queues, there were gamers who shouted out.
”Make haste, make haste!”
”Why does it take so long just to see a Dragon? What the heck?”
”Are we still playing the game? I've waited in the queue for half an hour!”
”My kid's finishing school. I have to go offline. Can I jump the queue?”
”What does the Dragon look like? Is it a five-clawed Dragon or one with two wings?”
”That's so cool. Fancy discovering a Dragon. How many things did the lousy game producers update secretly in the game?”
”That's hilarious. The announcement for Version 0.17 is coming out soon. I'll bet 100 bronze coins.”
”Just take a glance and get a screen capture. Once you're offline, take your time to examine the picture. Oh my God.”
”Selling equipment! Selling equipment!”
”Is anyone employing coolies? I'm selling my labor! I can excavate, carry bricks, and do all daily missions!”
”Dragon Raja Online Gaming is recruiting members!”
”Waaaah—!”
”D*mn! It's you again! Stop yelling!”
The gamers were very excited. Sherlock adjusted the surveillance images to follow the gamers' queue. He arrived quickly at the end of the queue.
In the room, there was a gaping hole that would allow six to seven Goblins to jump in. There were small holes by the sides, and the room looked wobbly.
Five gamers from the queues would jump into the gaping hole. After ten seconds, they would be thrown out.
The gamers continuously queued up and jumped inside just to have a glance at this fantastical creature.
”Have you seen the Dragon? Did you see it?”
When gamers were tossed back, the gamers at the side would question them.
”No! It's dark. I was grabbed after a few seconds inside and then thrown back!”
”Is this a BUG?”
”Should be a BOSS or NPC that wasn't installed properly?”
”Possible. This might be an air wall. You'll get repulsed after ten seconds.”
”Gosh, this lousy game has an air wall?”
”This is a Dungeon. Expect the unexpected.”
Sherlock adjusted his view and went through the bashed hole into the dark basement.