Captive of Delicious Food

It was late at night, a time when most creatures should be fast asleep.

But as midnight approached, Bed City became even more lively. When the Dungeon closed at midnight, all Adventurers left inside would return, whether they had gained something or nothing. Everyone needed alcohol, alcohol, alcohol – either to drink heartily or to drown their sorrows!

Midnight was when all the city's taverns made big money. Similarly, the Adventurer's Guild, potion shops, monster material stores, and other shops closely related to Adventurers would open their doors.

"Brother, how was your haul today?"

"It's slowly getting better. I'm starting to get familiar with the Dungeon's routes. Clearing the swamp area is just a matter of time. We've reached that dilapidated village twice now."

"I heard someone is forming a strategy group. The leader is the Silver Rank 'Lion' Leon. Should we go join the fun?"

"Strategy group? Spare me. Those are a bunch of guys obsessed with the Dungeon. I suspect their XP is tied to the Dungeon."

"Enough talk, enough talk, let's go drink! Tonight we-- hey, look at that guy walking out?"

As Adventurers were returning to the city one after another, a slightly hunched figure was moving against the flow, heading out of the city.

"That person looks a bit familiar. I think I've seen him recently."

Jack nervously walked to the teleportation gate and, under the curious gazes of many, entered the Dungeon.

There was less than half an hour until the Dungeon closed. Who would choose to enter at this time?

The familiar swamp, the familiar dark sky, the familiar stench of the air.

He had led about a dozen teams these past few days. He was utterly sick of the swamp area's scenery. Everyone had a cooldown period for entering and exiting the Dungeon, so he could only personally lead one team a day. The other teams had to rely on him writing and drawing on the map.

Sometimes it felt like his job was more like a strategy group than the actual strategy group.

Adventurers always felt that since he could treat the swamp area like his backyard, the areas beyond must not be a problem. They always wanted to pay extra for Jack to lead them deeper into the Dungeon.

Every time this happened, Jack could only smile and say, "We'll explore the areas ahead another time."

It wasn't that he didn't want to earn money; it was just that he had never seen what the maps of the later areas looked like!

He stood still in place and waited for a moment.

"Clink!"

A wooden treasure chest appeared out of thin air in front of him. He skillfully opened the chest, and thick smoke immediately billowed out.

[Teleportation Trap triggered!]

Before long, Jack found himself in the BOSS room of the swamp area—inside the fortress, where a tall and mighty figure stood.

He respectfully lowered his head and said, "Master."

"Mmm," Gong Qiying, who was attacking in his Gargoyle form, responded indifferently.

Jack's mind raced, trying to guess what his master wanted.

It was impossible to say he wasn't afraid, but the benefits he received from Gong Qiying far outweighed his fear, leading to feelings of awe, respect, and so on.

Moreover, this person had saved his life.

"How is your notoriety?" Gong Qiying asked.

"It still needs development," Jack replied truthfully. "Local Adventurers can basically light the beacon and open the fortress gate with minimal casualties. The only thing lacking is map exploration. Adventurers from out of town need my help even more. I've gained some notoriety within a small circle of people, but in the grand scheme of the Adventurer community..."

"In short, my role isn't that important among Adventurers, especially if there were updated map data," Jack didn't finish his sentence.

Gong Qiying understood what he meant. He wanted the maps of the later areas.

Regarding this, Gong Qiying had been thinking about it for a long time. He could tell Jack about Blighttown.

But first—

"Take this."

He tossed a book over. Jack quickly caught it and saw the words emblazoned on the cover: An Actor's Self-Cultivation.

"???"

Jack looked utterly confused, so much so that he looked up at Gong Qiying.

"From now on, you are the Master of the Dungeon Domain. You must play the part well," Gong Qiying said with a smile, grabbing Jack and waving his hand. The back door of the fortress boomed open.

He flew into the sky, letting Jack take in the entire scenery of Blighttown. He then ordered all Monsters and mechanisms to remain inactive, letting Jack walk through it himself a few times to familiarize himself with the route.

Finally, he showed Jack the Bonfire. Without much explanation, Jack understood the principle of this mechanism, his comprehension even stronger than Sithran's.

"Guide more people to discover this place, expand its notoriety, and become the Dungeon authority in the hearts of Adventurers. Two tasks," Gong Qiying held up two fingers.

"I can definitely complete them!" Jack said spiritedly.

He was already tired of the swamp area's scenery. Finally, he could switch maps!

Just as he thought he was done and wanted to take his leave.

"One more thing."

"Please, go ahead."

"Did you give away what I gave you?"

"Those weapons and magic?" Jack nodded repeatedly. "I used my connections to send them out. The Arcane Cult, the Holy Light Church, the House of Warriors. They should receive them in a few days."

"Very good. Take this," Gong Qiying handed Jack a swirling mass of white light – the Soul of a Giant Cursed Frog.

"Try it next to the bonfire, this is the opportunity you've always dreamed of."

"Th-thank you so much."

Jack's heart pounded. The ball of light in his hand was his chance to become strong!

"And these," Gong Qiying tossed him a bundle that exuded a rich aroma. It smelled like a medley of various foods, and just a few sniffs made his stomach rumble.

"This is...?"

Jack untied the bundle and looked inside. The contents were a bit baffling to him.

A fish with lobster claws, a "snake" with a head like a bulging frog, mushrooms covered in chocolate, and cabbage that smelled like almonds.

This entire bundle was… ingredients!? Where did such bizarre and rare ingredients come from?

[Lobster Fish (Small) (From Toriko all subsequent entries are)]

[Mental Power Required per 10 Units: 1]

[Overall Combat Power: G--]

[Snake Frog]

[Mental Power Required per 10 Units: 1]

[Overall Combat Power: G-]

[Almond Cabbage]

[Mental Power Required per 100 Units: 5]

[No Combat Power]

"These things will become the future specialty of the Dungeon."

Gong Qiying flashed a terrifying smile. "You go and advertise that the hidden areas of the Dungeon will produce more of these things."

Jack blinked.

He didn't understand, but he was greatly shocked.

It feels like I'm crowdfunding a book.