Toriko

It was deep into the night, a time when most creatures should have been asleep.

But the closer it got to midnight, the livelier Bede City became. This was because when the dungeon closed at midnight, all adventurers still 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 the time when taverns across the city made big money. Similarly, the Adventurers Association, potion shops, monster material stores, and other shops closely related to adventurers would also open their doors at this time.

"Brother, how was your haul today?"

"It's slowly getting better. I'm starting to get familiar with the dungeon routes. Clearing the Swamp Area is only a matter of time. We even reached that dilapidated village twice."

"I heard someone is forming a strategy group, led by the Silver Rank 'Lion' Leon. Should we join in the fun?"

"Strategy group? Spare me. Those are just a bunch of guys obsessed with the dungeon. I even suspect their XP is the dungeon."

"Enough talk, let's go drink! Tonight we'll—hey, why is that person walking outside?"

As adventurers returned to the city one after another, a slightly hunched figure went against the flow, actually heading out of the city.

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

Jack walked nervously to the teleportation gate and, under the curious gazes of the crowd, entered the dungeon.

At this moment, there was less than half an hour until the dungeon closed. Who would choose to go in at this time?

The familiar swamp, the familiar gloomy sky, the familiar foul air...

He had led a double-digit number of teams these past few days and was truly sick of the Swamp Area scenery. Everyone entering and exiting the dungeon had a cooldown, so he could only personally lead one team a day. Other teams could only watch him draw on the map.

In reality, with Gong Qiying's permission, Zane Dungeon was open to Jack at any time, with no cooldown. But others didn't know this, so Jack still had to pretend to be like everyone else.

There were always adventurers who felt that since he could treat the Swamp Area like his backyard, the areas beyond must not be a problem either. They always wanted to pay extra for Jack to lead them deeper into the dungeon.

Whenever this happened, Jack could only smile and say, "Let's explore the areas ahead another time."

It wasn't that he didn't want to make money, it was just that he had never seen what the maps beyond looked like!

He stood still in place and waited for a moment.

"Thump!"

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

Triggered a teleportation trap!

Before long, Jack appeared in the Swamp Area's BOSS room—inside the fortress. A tall and imposing figure was standing there.

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

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

Jack was inwardly guessing what his master wanted to do.

It was impossible to say he wasn't afraid, but the benefits he received from Gong Qiying far outweighed the fear, so it became a mix of awe, respect, and other emotions.

Moreover, this person had saved his life.

"How is your reputation?" Gong Qiying asked.

"Still developing," Jack replied truthfully. "Local adventurers can basically light the Beacon Fire and open the Fortress Gate with fewer casualties. The only thing lacking is exploration of the map. Adventurers from other places need my help even more. I've gained some recognition within a small circle of people, but among the entire adventurer community..."

"In short, my role isn't that important among adventurers. If I could get updated map data..." Jack didn't finish his sentence.

Gong Qiying understood what he wanted to say. He wanted maps of the areas beyond.

Regarding this, Gong Qiying had actually been thinking about it for a while. He could give Jack the information about Blighttown.

But first—

"Take this,"

He threw over a book. Jack quickly caught it and saw the bright, large characters on the cover: An Actor Prepares.

"???"

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

"From now on, you are the master of the dungeon domain. You must act well," Gong Qiying said with a smile, grabbing Jack. He waved his hand, and the back gate of the fortress opened with a rumble.

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

Finally, he showed Jack the Bonfire. Without needing much explanation, Jack understood the principle of this mechanism. His comprehension was even better than Si Telan's.

"Guide more people to discover this place, increase its popularity, and become the dungeon authority in the hearts of adventurers. Two tasks," Gong Qiying held up two fingers.

"Absolutely achievable!" Jack said with high spirits.

He was already tired of the scenery in the Swamp Area. Finally, he could change maps!

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

"One more thing,"

"Please speak,"

"Did you send out the things I gave you?"

"Those weapons and magic?" Jack nodded repeatedly. "I sent them out using my connections. The Arcane Order, the Holy Light Church, the Warrior's Home... They should all receive them in a few days."

"Very good, take these," Gong Qiying gave Jack a flickering white light mass. It was the Giant Curse Frog's Soul.

"Try it by the Bonfire. This is the opportunity you've dreamed of,"

"Tha- thank you very much,"

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

"And these," Gong Qiying threw over a bundle that emitted a rich aroma. The scent was like a medley of various foods, making one's stomach rumble after just a few sniffs.

"This is...?"

Jack untied the bundle and looked inside. The contents were a bit hard for him to understand.

Fish with lobster claws, "snakes" with heads puffed up like frogs, mushrooms covered in chocolate, cabbage that smelled like almonds...

This entire bundle was actually full of ingredients!? Where did such strange and bizarre ingredients come from?

Lobster Fish (Small) (From Toriko, all subsequent items are as well)

Mental Power Required per Ten Units: 1

[Overall Combat Power: G-]

[Snake Frog]

[Mental Power Required per Ten Units: 1]

[Overall Combat Power: G-]

[Almond Cabbage]

[Mental Power Required per Hundred Units: 5]

[No Combat Power]

"These things will be the specialty products of the dungeon from now on,"

Gong Qiying revealed a terrifying smile: "You go and spread the word 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 felt like I was crowdfunding to write a book.