The Versus Dungeon

at the same time.

Chen Capital, Wuyi Lane, supermarket rest area.

The third announcement rolled across the sky, its echo still reverberating in the air.

The once bustling shopping mall fell into a brief silence.

But then...

"Holy crap!! Versus Instance? Guaranteed to drop Profession Certificate?!"

"So, as long as you get into the first three Versus Instance and survive to the end, you can defy fate?!"

"Wait, isn't the Versus Instance only available once? Does the winner of the first entry get the Profession Certificate, or do you get it every time you win Versus Instance entry?"

"Lu Xiu! I need Lu Xiu! I'll do anything for you! Can you leak some exam questions for me?!"

"I'd go through fire and water for you, Sister Lu! I've been eyeing this profession for so long, I dream of changing it! Can you give me a chance?!"

"I knew the system wouldn't just stand by and watch us unlucky players who can't get our Profession Certificate perish! The opportunity has arrived!"

"Sister Lu, Sister Lu, I like you! Could you leave a backdoor in the dungeon?"

"Mommy, Mommy, my older brothers and sisters are acting so strange."

"Don't look at them, they're mentally unstable."

This sudden announcement was like cold water poured into boiling oil; the entire shopping mall, and even the whole Wuyi Lane outside, instantly erupted in chaos.

Countless players, disregarding their own location, immediately began discussing the matter on the spot.

The main Profession Certificate gameplay has been out for a long time.

However, only three people have changed jobs so far—which shows how low the drop rate is.

After Ah Yi changed his job to Pioneer Hunter, the Coordination Bureau publicly disclosed information related to his profession.

This is one of the responsibilities of the Coordination Bureau.

And countless players are even more eager to switch classes after seeing this.

Any profession is fine!

However, Profession Certificate are extremely rare.

Hearing that there is a guaranteed way to obtain it is naturally exciting.

--You're saying that you might not survive to the end in Versus Instance? Many people have already assumed they'll be the lucky one.

So it's normal to get excited.

On a bench in a corner of a shopping mall.

Lu Xiu and her two companions naturally heard the players' discussion, as well as the advice from a certain mother.

"----It seems like every event the system organizes is related to you, Lu Xiu."

Shen Nian looked at Lu Xiu sitting next to her and said, "I reckon your dungeon is about to cause another bloodbath."

Jian Li also looked at Lu Xiu, and although she didn't say anything, she clearly meant the same thing.

"You guys make it sound like I can instantly create three Versus Instance."

While replying to messages from Yan Fushou and other high-ranking officials, Lu Xiu wrote, "Moreover, the announcement clearly states that to secure a spot, your Versus Instance must be S-rank or higher. This isn't something you can just do by setting up an arena and throwing in a few monsters—PVP and PVE are two different things."

"So you can't do it?"

Shen Nian tilted her head upon hearing this. "I don't believe it."

"----Thinking."

After replying to the last message, Lu Xiu looked up and said, "Although the system's sudden move was a bit unexpected, I should still create a Versus Instance regardless, since none of the three of us have changed jobs yet."

The only way to obtain Profession Certificate is by Versus Instance.

Then it's best not to unleash the Bloodborne for the time being.

Jian Li said softly, "Then I will definitely win, no matter who I face."

"That's amazing! That's amazing!"

Lu Xiu smiled and praised, "I'll reward you with a maid job later."

Jian Li: "----Okay."

Shen Nian then asked, "Shall we go straight back to the Witch Forest now?"

It's a bit of a pity.

But this is an act of God.

If Lu Xiu really wants to return to the Witch Forest immediately, she won't say anything; at most, she'll just wait until Lu Xiu has some free time to continue tormenting her.

Lu Xiu shook her head and stood up from the bench. "Since we're already here, let's go upstairs and buy the clothes before going back."

She put her baseball cap back on her head. "And my mind is a bit of a mess, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to clear my head while shopping, and also think about Versus Instance I should play."

That's all.

Her gaze fell on the two women's long legs, which were joined together—following the shapely calves beneath their skirts, she looked down at their ankles and arches, which were beautifully outlined by their high heels.

Although they had just sat down to rest for a while, the two of them had been running wildly on the stone road for half an hour wearing these things.

Lu Xiu was silent for a moment, then asked, "Are your feet alright? Can you walk?"

Upon hearing this, a smile flashed in Shen Nian's eyes. She stood up, twirled around, and said softly, "It's alright, I've recovered long ago. But—if you really feel bad and don't want to make it up to me, could I help you pick out an outfit later?"

Lu Xiu, expressionless, extended her slender white fingers and pressed them against Shen Nian's forehead, pushing her away. "Don't even think about it."

On the other side.

Jian Li stood up, took Lu Xiu's arm, and shook her head. "It's nothing."

Okay, let's go then.

It has been confirmed that both of them are indeed alright.

Lu Xiu didn't delay any longer and led them directly to the third floor.

Meanwhile, the various floors of the shopping mall were still bustling with activity.

Countless players were gathered in small groups, discussing how to Versus Instance and Profession Certificate, so much so that even though Shen Nian and Jian Li were still wearing their eye-catching black and white maid outfits.

Surprisingly, not many people paid any attention to him along the way.

However, this also saved Lu Xiu a lot of trouble, as she no longer had to drag the two of them along on a forced march as she had before.

soon.

The three of them then found a clothing store.

This store occupies a considerable area and offers a wide variety of products.

Upon entering.

Lu Xiu was then pulled by the two men to the lingerie section.

Then the two started gesturing.

They take turns.

"Who's buying this, you or me?!"

Lu Xiu endured it for a while, but couldn't hold back any longer, and glared at them with embarrassment and annoyance.

Upon hearing this, Shen Nian put down the black one she was holding. "I'll buy it for you first, just in case you feel embarrassed."

"I'm not an idiot."

Lu Xiu retorted irritably, taking a half-step to the side to avoid Jian Li's attempt to compare her size to hers. "Besides, do you even know my size? You're just comparing."

She's been in this world for so long, she should still have some common sense.

It's not like they wouldn't even buy this.

It's really not worth asking them for help.

"----How old are you?"

"How could I possibly tell you! You choose yours! I don't need it."

Lu Xiu tried to dodge, but the next second, the two of them grabbed her hands and started strolling around together.

The three of them went through a lot of trouble.

The two didn't make a good choice, and Lu Xiu ended up exhausted.

She took a deep breath, then turned and sat down on the sofa in the rest area. "I'm not choosing anymore! Aren't they all the same? Why can I choose from so many factors? I understand the style! I understand the size, but why do I have to consider skin tone? And what's with the shoulder shape? It's been half an hour!"

She genuinely didn't know.

If we don't delve into the original owner's memories.

She spends all her energy on dungeons and battles, and hasn't developed a habit of carefully selecting her daily activities.

"You're so casual!"

Shen Nian took her hand. "Skin tone definitely needs to be considered, especially since you wear white T-shirts quite often."

Jian Li also took her hand. "Various shoulder movements can affect the frequency of slipping, so we definitely need to consider that."

I won't listen!

Lu Xiu, relying on her high attribute, didn't get up. "I just want to be comfortable."

"Having a good figure means you can do whatever you want----"

Shen Nian said softly, looking at Lu Xiu's stubborn and unwilling-to-move attitude, she couldn't help but find it amusing.

Perhaps only in this aspect.

Only by surpassing her can I truly feel like a caring older sister.

Even though I'm older than her, I always get the feeling that she's more mature.

Jian Li felt the same way and actually quite enjoyed the process of helping Lu Xiu choose the items.

As they thought about it, they worked together.

Lu Xiu: "----"

We strolled around for another half hour.

Lu Xiu couldn't hold back any longer.

She abruptly stopped, grabbed the two of them, and with a look of utter despair, rattled off a string of numbers, then said, "You guys help me choose! Don't drag me into this! I just want something not too flashy."

Upon hearing the number, Shen Nian paused, then exclaimed "Wow!"

On the other side...

Jian Li glanced at Lu Xiu, then looked down at herself, and then back at Lu Xiu.

Look at their reactions.

Lu Xiu, embarrassed and annoyed, raised her hand and punched each of them on the head.

Then he turned around and left the place of trouble, quickly walking to the sofa in the rest area and sitting down.

This time, the two of them finally stopped bothering her—they seemed quite happy, and even huddled together, whispering to each other for a while.

Lu Xiu finally got some peace and quiet and breathed a sigh of relief.

She didn't bother to see what fancy things the two were picking out, so she simply brought up the System Panel and continued processing the messages she hadn't finished replying to.

On the other side...

Shen Nian and Jian Li had already picked out several pieces of clothing and happened to be browsing the casual wear section.

Their eyes swept across a row of clothes racks, then suddenly each of them fixed their gaze on a particular garment.

Shen Nian's eyes lit up. She picked it up and glanced at it, then turned to look at Lu Xiu.

Jian Li then picked up another item and looked at Lu Xiu as well.

On the other side.

Lu Xiu was leaning back on the sofa replying to messages, her pair of shapely, long legs casually crossed, their lines firm and well-proportioned, the simple jeans unable to conceal their excellent proportions.

The two exchanged a glance, then picked up their clothes and walked over together.

Hearing footsteps, Lu Xiu snapped out of her daze, glanced at the clothes the two were carrying, and said decisively, "Don't even think about it! I'm not a clothes hanger!"

These two people.

One of them was carrying a men's suit.

One of them was holding a hooded dinosaur pajama set.

I have no idea what they were thinking!

The two were somewhat disappointed, but less than five minutes later, they returned, this time with a skirt and stockings. "What about this?"

Lu Xiu:

"----"

One hour later.

Witch Forest, Wooden Cabin.

"I swear—I'll never go shopping with either of you again."

Lu Xiu sat in the middle of the Wooden Cabin, replying to messages from Yan Fushou's superiors' superiors, and complained, "Going out to buy clothes with you guys is more tiring than building a dungeon."

She simply couldn't understand why anyone would enjoy helping others choose clothes.

They could tolerate even choosing Lu Xiu themselves.

If she hadn't firmly refused at the end and forcibly paid the bill and dragged them away, these two probably would have tried on every piece of clothing in the store that looked good to her, tricking her into trying them on.

"Don't say that, at least we bought the right one, didn't we?"

Shen Nian chuckled and replied, and at that moment she was in a good mood taking out the clothes from the bags and folding them one by one.

Behind Lu Xiu.

Jian Li was still wearing that black and white maid outfit, and was slightly bending over to help Lu Xiu tidy up her long hair.

Although I was thoroughly exhausted by those two.

But it must be admitted that this did indeed greatly relieve her tense nerves.

After being tormented for so long, if you could still have wild thoughts, you really wouldn't be human.

"Alright."

Lu Xiu paused for a moment, then stood up from her chair. "You guys pack up first. I'll go into the Construction Space and take a look. Next, we should think carefully about what to do in this Versus Instance."

That's all.

Without further delay, she immediately brought up the System Panel.

This time, the two did not stop them.

It's perfectly normal to rush back as soon as you hear the announcement.

Only the two of them knew.

Lu Xiu had already replied to five messages.

It was obvious that everyone assumed the upcoming Versus Instance would be constructed by Lu Xiu.

And all three will be.

A flash of Bai Guang followed.

Lu Xiu's figure vanished from the Wooden Cabin in an instant.

Consciousness sinks.

The viewpoint reversed.

When I opened my eyes again.

Lu Xiu was already standing in the vast and boundless Construction Space.

Instead of immediately starting construction, she gazed at the data orb floating in the distance and fell into deep thought.

The system only requires an S rating for Versus Instance.

There are no other requirements.

That means anything is possible—but simply setting up a square arena and stuffing a bunch of players inside to fight each other is probably not going to work.

Pure PvP lacks depth and makes it difficult to achieve a high rating.

We also need a high-pressure PVE environment, or we need to work on the mechanics.

In this situation, Bloodborne is definitely not suitable.

No matter how meticulously Yharnam's map design, aggro synergy, and monster logic are polished, they are entirely designed to serve the purpose of immersive single-player exploration.

Forcing a large group of players into the instance and switching it to PvP mode would not only create a terrible atmosphere, but could also cause the entire instance to collapse instantly.

You can't really make a Bloodborne go-kart game where players race around Yharnam to determine the winner, can you?

----It actually seems quite appealing.

No, no, no.

Lu Xiu quickly stopped herself from having such a bold idea.

This is hilarious.

but----

Bloodborne didn't work, but when practicing Transcendent Skill, something from another dungeon she referenced and constructed did work.

That's right.

Those random things from Dungeon Fighter Online ----

After creating these things in the first place.

Because the blueprint is purely based on an online game.

She really didn't know how to make it into a dungeon, so after testing, most of them were just casually left aside to gather dust.

But now, the situation is different.

"With existing resources, we can assemble a Versus Instance; that should be feasible, right?"

Lu Xiu looked thoughtful.

certainly.

Simply setting up a tavern and letting players go in to fight in the arena won't work.

That's too boring; you'd never get an S rating.

Unless she creates Roleplay Instance and includes all the classes from Dungeon Fighter Online, allowing players to choose their class for duels.

But...

It's taking far too long for these players to determine a winner.

They struggled even against a Monster Hunter.

Not to mention getting familiar with so many professions from scratch.

But if you simply create a map and let players race to see who can complete it the fastest?

That would then become a pure PVE competition, losing the thrill of direct confrontation.

Let's do PvPvE.

Lu Xiu pondered for a moment, then quickly made a decision.

On the one hand, PVE can guarantee ratings, while on the other hand, the existence of PVP can ensure that battles can be decided quickly.

"This time, we won't be doing Roleplay Instance; let players just bring their own equipment, skills, and attributes into the dungeon."

Lu Xiu summoned the panel, opened the text, and began to confirm the strategy for the Versus Instance: "Of course, we can't discard the game elements either. Right, the Colorless Skill Mechanic! We can extract the Awakening Skill of each class in the original game and make them into skill books that drop in the dungeon."

Then, unleashing these devastating attacks consumes Colorless Crystal, which drop in PVE maps.

Simply put...

Players will have varying combat strengths when they can use all their skills, although the system will likely use a matchmaking pool.

Even so, the gap still exists.

The Awakening Skill of each class in Dungeon Fighter Online can now become a factor in determining victory or defeat. Obtaining these skills will test a player's PVE abilities.

This can somewhat curb the situation where the strong directly eliminate all the weak.

besides.

With a sufficient number of Awakening Skill, luck will also become crucial, adding more variables to player battles.

The system's rating takes into account variables, and these variables carry significant weight.

certainly.

If a player is truly confident, they can defeat their opponent without grinding, relying solely on their own abilities.

If they can withstand the Awakening Skill.

----moment.

Lu Xiu could almost see the players suddenly unleashing a Meteor Fall or Dark Sky Wave Eye during a fight.

This seems quite interesting.

Wrong!

Lu Xiu thought for a moment, then suddenly overturned her idea.

No, just dropping Awakening Skill isn't very meaningful.

Why not just drop the Class Scroll directly?

Take the Sword Saint as an example.

By picking up and using the Sword Saint Scroll, players will immediately gain the passive skill [Iron Cut] and the active skill [Extreme Ghost Sword Technique (Storm Style)].

The passive skill can continuously reduce the enemy's physical defense when attacking.

The active Awakening Skill requires consuming Small Colorless Crystal collected from the map to instantly generate a massive sword formation consisting of twenty-four swords.

The players going to this Versus Instance are definitely after the Profession Certificate —but DNF already has those classes, right?

And doing this might even give you a chance to obtain a class from Dungeon Fighter Online.

Of course, if you really want to do that, you only need to do the first awakening in version 60. The later ones are too complicated. This is a common problem with long-running online games. In order to survive, they must keep players engaged. And for this purpose, they will inevitably make the values and mechanisms of the subsequent versions expand infinitely.

Dungeon Fighter Online also suffers from this common problem.

If we really consider later versions, these players who struggle even with Monster Hunter simply don't have enough time to digest and experience them.

In order to determine the winner as soon as possible.

Lu Xiu didn't even plan to learn other ordinary professional skills; she only intended to learn awakened active and passive skills.

If we add a second and third awakening, then we've put the cart before the horse.

But this idea is actually quite good!

PVE drops Class Scroll.

Then, the active skills of a profession also require colorless cubes.

In dungeons, players need to clear maps, some of which require short periods of cooperation. This requires dealing with high-pressure monsters while constantly guarding against backstabbing from other players.

This involves not only competition, monster-hunting, cooperation, and betrayal, but also the possibility of the strong being defeated.

Isn't this perfect?

but----

"The map can't be too large; if it's too spread out, players won't be able to meet, and the competition loses its meaning."

Lu Xiu thought for a moment and began to write down a rule, "Let's just make the most classic version 60 area, with Hendon Myre as the center, and then expand outwards, cutting out some unnecessary maps."

Then, as time goes on, the other outer areas will become uninhabitable, turning into highly toxic zones, forcing players to constantly converge on the center, eventually triggering a massive free-for-all.

Hendon Myre could also be made more three-dimensional, with more streets and alleys to create an environment conducive to ambush and counter-ambush.

Oh, right.

NPCs can also participate in battles. Set up some favorability quests. If players talk to them, they will ask players to farm materials in the corresponding Dungeon, and the reward is favorability.

If you have enough goodwill, you can turn NPCs into your helpers.

Well, Seria's appearance fee is set to the highest, requiring players to run through half of the Dungeon to collect materials, but her combat power is set to be extremely weak.

This seems a bit too inhumane----

never mind.

Let's give her a hidden feature: if she shouts "Today is also a day full of hope," she'll receive a huge bonus.

Should weapon systems be included?

Hmm... since colorless cubes and Class Scroll have been added, adding some powerful weapons would be fine, but balancing them would be difficult... how about adding the Abyss gameplay? Breaking Abyss Pillar would summon powerful NPC enemies, and defeating them would drop equipment?

Lu Xiu murmured softly, her thoughts multiplying, her mind overflowing with inspiration.

The speed at which I can record my thoughts is also getting faster and faster.

The framework for the entire instance is taking shape rapidly.

High-pressure PvP dungeons, the toxic zones that force players to adapt, randomly dropped classes, and the Abyss raids that send players teetering between ecstasy and despair.

Clearly, she was quite happy with creating this Versus Instance that treated players like parasites.

As for whether the players who went in were happy or not?

That's none of her business.

That's a problem for the players to worry about.

At the same time.

Witch Forest.

Wooden Cabin.

Shen Nian had just finished folding the last piece of clothing.

Just then, her communication panel popped up with a message from Yan Fushou.

[Yan Fushou: Has Lu Xiu Construction Space?]

Shen Nian glanced at it and tapped her fingertip lightly.

[Shen Nian: They've gone inside.]

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end, clearly as they were carefully choosing their words, before sending another message.

[Yan Fushou: Since you've been with her the whole time, do you know what kind of Versus Instance she's planning to create this time? It won't be too grueling, will it?]

[Shen Nian: Of course not. Has the Director forgotten about the Goddess Blade Title? The restrictions preventing the leak of strategy guides and dungeon information are still in effect.]

[Yan Fushou:----]

[Yan Fushou: I hope Lu Xiu will go easy on me this time and make it a little simpler. If the Versus Instance is like Monster Hunter, all the High Sequence players in Nine Provinces will probably be driven to the brink of collapse.]

[Shen Nian: I think your wish is a bit unrealistic----]

[Yan Fushou:----]

Shen Nian smiled and turned off the communication panel, then turned to look at Jian Li, who had opened the System Panel and was checking Jian Li.

After hesitating for a moment.

She poured two glasses of water and handed one to Jian Li: "Jian Li, the next Versus Instance will be against other players. I don't want to lose. Do you want to practice in a multiplayer dungeon together?"

The air in the Wooden Cabin was still for a few seconds.

At first, Shen Nian was a little afraid of Jian Li, but she didn't know when she stopped being afraid.

However, the two rarely bring up the topic individually.

Mainly because Jian Li rarely said anything when Lu Xiu wasn't around.

She really is like an iceberg cat.

Occasionally, it even breathes out.

Jian Li stopped sliding the panel, took the water glass, lowered her eyes to look at the slightly shimmering water, pondered for a moment, and then agreed, "Okay."

Next.

She looked up. "But if we meet in Versus Instance, even if it's you, I won't hold back."

Me too.

Shen Nian smiled gently.

Next.

Shen Nian, holding her water glass, glanced at the clothes she had just tidied up. Her eyes flickered, and she suddenly said mischievously, "Speaking of which—I actually secretly bought that hooded dinosaur pajama set earlier."

Jian Li paused abruptly as she drank the water.

Shen Nian suggested, "Why don't we try asking Lu Xiu to wear it once?"

Upon hearing this...

Jian Li's beautiful eyes lit up instantly.

at the same time.

Coordination Bureau.

Yan Fushou looked at Shen Nian's reply and closed the communication panel with a headache.

Keep it simple?

In fact, he himself didn't believe it.

If Lu Xiu could play by the rules, the Strategy Group wouldn't be constantly thrown into chaos by the dungeons she creates.

Knock knock.

At this moment.

There was a knock on the office door, and the secretary hurried in, her voice tinged with helplessness, saying, "Director, the people from Red Tide are here again. The bureau chief wants you to receive them."

"No! It's me again! Where are the others?"

"I heard that the Foreign Affairs Department also sent people to block them. They'll handle that. As for this side, the director said you're the one most familiar with Lu Xiu, so you'll be in charge—"

Yan Fushou took a deep breath, then reached out and rubbed his throbbing temples.

Red Tide somehow learned that the Franca Delegation had made private contact with Lu Xiu.

Then they strongly insisted on seeing him as well.

They didn't cause any trouble, but they sent people to stand guard at their door every day as a silent protest.

"Okay."

Yan Fushou stood up from his office chair with a hint of helplessness, straightened his suit, and said, "Let's go. I'll go and explain things to them. They should have heard the announcement too. How could Lu Xiu possibly have time to see them?"

at the same time.

Chen Capital.

Inside the hotel suite where the Red Tide Delegation was staying.

Ulysses sat on the large sofa, listening to the mission members report on the response from the Coordination Bureau. He couldn't help but slam his fist on the armrest, his face full of frustration. "That damn Franca, she sneaked off! By the time we realized what was happening, Lu Xiu had already gone to construct the Versus Instance! We haven't even seen her. It's like even the goddess isn't helping us, Red Tide!"

The strategist beside him remained silent for a moment, then said softly, "Supreme Leader —Miss Lu Xiu will indeed be unable to see us for the time being."

--

Ulysses frowned, his burly frame leaning back irritably. "I know, but the thought that Franca not only met with Lu Xiu in private, but is now even trying to send people to Nine Provinces makes me restless! I feel like we've missed out on some incredible fortune."

"We can't see it now, but we'll definitely find a way to get it later."

The strategist's eyes flickered slightly, and he lowered his voice. "But Supreme Leader, the most important thing now is not how to meet Lu Xiu, but whether our Red Tide can participate in Lu Xiu's Versus Instance."

Ulysses paused for a moment, then frowned. "Isn't this an announcement from the Nine Provinces Region? Isn't the Versus Instance only open to people from Nine Provinces?"

He was certainly interested in that Versus Instance.

Of course, I want the Red Tide to participate.

After all, it's guaranteed to drop Profession Certificate!

Currently, only three players in the entire world have achieved class change in Nine Provinces, while the Red Tide haven't even gotten a glimpse of Profession Certificate yet.

He also wants a Profession Certificate.

"The announcement does seem to be aimed at Nine Provinces, but we, located in Chen Capital, also heard it."

The strategist suggested, "So what if being within the territory of the Nine Provinces Region grants you the qualification to enter the Versus Instance?"

Ulysses was taken aback by what he heard, then his eyes suddenly lit up.

I instantly understood what the strategist meant.

At the same time.

Suddenly, without warning, a cloud of black mist surged up from the shadows in the corner of the room.

A figure draped in a black robe, with an indistinct face, slowly emerged from the shadows.

Ulysses suddenly turned his head to look.

The strategist was a beat slower, but he also looked over, his expression changing slightly.

"Your Excellency, Supreme Leader the Red Tide— "

But the figure had just spoken.

Ulysses immediately unleashed a skill, a violent shockwave slamming into the corner and instantly shattering the black mist.

"Get lost!"

Ulysses cursed, "I don't care who you bunch of rats from the gutter are! Don't get involved! Don't drag me down with you! And don't delay my path to becoming stronger!"