"Isn't it enough to enjoy something like this on a small scale? What kind of joke is that, you selfish bastard?"
Gong Qiying's finger hovered over Available Monster, and he nearly couldn't resist sending a Crucible Knight over.
Everyone had selfish desires. He could understand that.
After secretly watching them over the past few days, he felt that Si Telan's character seemed fairly decent. His interactions with her had also been pleasant, so he decided to observe her a little longer for now.
"You want to keep this place all to yourself?" Ai Li asked.
"Don't you think this is a heaven-sent opportunity, Ai Li?" Dan Ya's eyes blazed with fervor. "You and I have been stuck at Bronze Rank because we lack the strength to complete our advancement quests, haven't we? With this bonfire, becoming Gold Rank isn't impossible!"
The more she spoke, the more worked up she became, as memories of the past rose to the surface.
"It was only because Si Telan took pity on you that she let you stay with a Silver Rank party. She and Xiu En can finish commissions that normally require five or six people. Why should they let you join?"
"Tch, you're just a worthless bum mooching off a Silver Rank party to pad your credentials."
"You can't even complete an advancement quest? Clearly, you don't have what it takes to be an adventurer. Aren't your legs pretty quick? Go run errands for a living."
The more she thought about it, the more furious she became. She abruptly drew her dagger, actually intending to go back and kill monsters to level up.
"Dan Ya!"
Si Telan pressed a hand onto her shoulder. "Are you serious? Do you really think you, that we, can monopolize the bonfire?"
Xiu En spoke up as well. "Everyone can explore the dungeon, and this is the only way through. Sooner or later, someone will find this place. We were merely lucky enough to arrive a little earlier than everyone else."
"Exactly," Ai Li agreed. "Like Si Telan said, that Mr. Ma Lei Da who helped her must have known about this place long ago. There might even be others."
"..."
Dan Ya stood there blankly for a long while before saying, "Then I'll tell the lord and have him place this place under control!"
Slap—
A crisp slap rang out as Si Telan struck her across the face.
"Good!" Gong Qiying gave her a thumbs-up from afar. What an outstanding woman from another world!
"Have you lost your mind?"
Facing Dan Ya's stunned gaze, Si Telan said angrily, "Have you never considered that the Bede Family might arrest you—arrest all of us? Do you think those nobles would be kind enough to bar everyone else from entering while letting you in?"
"Ah..."
Dan Ya opened her mouth, clarity returning to her eyes. Looking utterly lost, she said, "Then what should I do? The lord will definitely learn about the bonfire from other adventurers. If he sends soldiers to guard it..."
"Dan Ya, Dan Ya, think carefully. What are you most proud of?" Si Telan poked her forehead in exasperation.
"My forehead?" Dan Ya asked blankly.
"Your goddamn connections!"
Si Telan truly wanted to slap her again.
"Don't forget that your class is Shadow Walker. Every Shadow Walker is automatically part of the Shadow Brotherhood, the group best at stirring up news in the entire world!"
"How can you call the great Brotherhood a group—"
"Shut up!"
"Okay..." Dan Ya no longer dared to make a sound.
The Shadow Brotherhood sounded like the name of an assassin organization, but in truth—
It was a paparazzi crew!
Its members worshipped the goddess Shadow of Joy. Whenever they had the chance, they loved digging up major scoops—for example, secretly using Image Machines to record the debauched private lives of royals and nobles, exposing how some legendary mage had sold their body in their youth, or revealing that the archbishop of the Holy Light Church was actually heterosexual and didn't like little boys.
The organization received its funding from major newspapers. As long as there was a big story, the payout was extremely generous, and every Shadow Walker was happy to send news to the Brotherhood.
Dan Ya was one of them as well. Though she had never uncovered a major story, she unexpectedly got along well with people and could speak directly to the organization's leaders!
"There is only one way we can fight the lord,"
Si Telan declared forcefully:
"Spread word of the bonfire across the land. Make sure everyone knows, so the Bede Family won't dare seal off the dungeon in the face of public outrage!"
Clap clap clap.
Gong Qiying applauded repeatedly. Wonderful—truly wonderful. Though he knew nothing about the Shadow Brotherhood, Si Telan's heroic bearing alone was worth admiring.
He had also considered the possibility that the local lord might seal off Zane Dungeon for personal gain. That was the one development he found most unacceptable.
So he had prepared a backup plan.
"They've reminded me that feudal nobles are notoriously greedy. I should move my plan forward."
The day passed quickly. Before the bells rang through the dungeon, he tapped the stone Shrine beneath him and muttered to himself:
"Old Jack, come see me at once."
Bede City, Lamb Corn Tavern.
The tavern was brimming with merriment. Several wealthy patrons had paid the entire bill, and everyone drank to their hearts' content. The air was thick with alcohol and hormones. A few mages had even set off fireworks for the occasion, while performers tossed colorful balls through the air.
Thin and wiry Jack sat in the seat of honor, with a beautiful girl baring her thighs on each arm and a maid standing behind him to feed him fruit. He looked utterly carefree and delighted.
Today was practically the pinnacle of his life.
"Come, Master Jack. Let me toast you." The speaker was a fat man covered in gold and jewelry, one of the wealthy patrons. "It's all thanks to you that I had such a wonderful time in the dungeon today. When I get back, I'll definitely introduce you to my good brothers."
"Oh, oh, Boss Arthur, you're too kind!" Jack hurriedly lowered himself and flattered him. "Even without me, you would have enjoyed yourself in the dungeon just the same."
"That's impossible. Without you, I'd have died long ago." Arthur waved a hand. "You know that Swamp like the back of your hand. You even knew where every pit was and saved me several times. You deserve to be called a master."
Jack chuckled, clearly pleased with himself.
That day, Sackman, who had been hunting him down, was arrested and sentenced to several hundred years in prison. With his worries in Bede City gone in an instant, he chose to stay.
But what was he supposed to do after staying? He was already on the guards' watchlist, so he could no longer conduct black-market business. The adventurers he had cheated had also found him and demanded compensation.
When he had fallen into a difficult situation, his master, Gong Qiying, gave him an order.
He was to become a dungeon guide, specializing in leading people through the Swamp Area.
Jack did not dare refuse. He had some talent for memorization and knew the vast Swamp Area like the back of his hand.
At first, very few people believed he could lead a party through the Swamp Area. After all, the old man looked dry and frail, not like someone capable.
But after he guided several parties through the Swamp Area for free with remarkably few casualties, people's opinions changed drastically. They went from calling him "that old man" to "old sir," and more and more people came asking him to lead the way.
Jack also began accepting work from wealthy clients, such as Arthur before him. A rich merchant who had always longed for the thrilling life of an adventurer, Arthur had heard of Jack's reputation and hired him to lead him on a safe but exciting dungeon journey. He had been extremely satisfied with the result.
Some had tried to imitate Jack and copy his guide routes, only to encounter monsters that should not have appeared there in unexpected places or run into new traps. Meanwhile, Jack's parties were always safe and sound.
It definitely wasn't because some dungeon lord was playing favorites.
Gradually, even those who doubted him had no choice but to admire him. Jack's life improved by the day, and his fear of Gong Qiying gradually diminished, replaced by respect.
"Drink! Everyone, drink!"
Jack raised his cup and drank deeply. At that moment, a voice sounded in his mind.
His expression changed instantly.
Before you continue