Moving into Zane with the Whole Family

[Godwyn!]

Why were you able to become number one?

Why is your adventurer ranking so high?

Why did you exchange supplies the most times?

There is only one answer—

[Godwyn!]

[You're a genius city lord/Cheating/Playing dumb to fool others/...]

After reading through all the letters sent by the Dungeon Lord, the summary is roughly as described above.

First, they would express their shock, then explain their point of view; this had become the standard formula for the city lords' letters.

Each city lord has their own opinions and ideas. Some think that Gong Qiying is a super genius in managing the dungeon, while others think that he must have used some underhanded means and should not have let his monster replace the Meteor Sprite in the first place. Some think that this mysterious being, who seems to be an ancient thing, has finally begun to exert his power.

These speculations amused Gong Qiying. Putting everything else aside, the city lords had provided ample emotional value.

One of the city lords, known as Gladiator King, spoke the most vehemently, repeatedly mentioning Lin Weier as if I had insulted him. Speaking of which, the name Lin Weier sounds familiar; where have I heard it before?

Gong Qiying flipped through the letters and, sure enough, there was a letter from Lin Weier, the city lord of the Dark Blue Sea Dungeon, mixed in with the others. This was the person who had taken the initiative to write to him, showing a gentle and caring older sister demeanor. The seashells she had given him still retained their fragrance and the scent of the sea.

Back when the Raya Lucaria Magic Academy was being designed, he and Lin Weier had quite a bit of contact, but it was mostly just a transaction. He would take care of the new city lord who inherited the Verdant Dungeon, and Lin Weier would send him various spells. These spells were indeed placed in Lake Liurnia, and many adventurers obtained them, but their presence was much lower than that of Star Magic and soul magic. Gong Qiying gradually stopped updating them.

On another note, it seems that Lin Weier did not participate in this joint event, and there has been no communication between them recently. Is it because the situation in Verdant Dungeon has stabilized?

"I don't think I've paid attention to Verdant Dungeon for a long time, but I can't contact them because their access level is too low."

According to Lin Weier's deal, he had gradually given her a set of Plants vs. Zombies resource packs. Although they were all very basic, they should be considered valuable assets for a newcomer.

I'll go visit again when I have the chance later.

After replying to a few letters, Gong Qiying was about to rest when he saw another letter from Chi Ya. Upon opening it, he found that the sender was directly asking what the so-called "campfire" actually did.

There was no harm in telling them, since people would find out sooner or later anyway, so he wrote a letter to Red Fang detailing the known effects of the campfire.

About half an hour later, when Gong Qiying was almost asleep on the Shrine, Chi Ya's reply arrived.

Such a large sheet of paper, yet it only contained two words—

[Sharp]

It also included a photo of Red Tooth's forepaw clenched and giving a thumbs-up.

What kind of mental struggle did that Red Dragon City Lord go through before sending this message? I really want to see his expression when he sees it.

Filled with anticipation for the adventurers' performance tomorrow, Gong Qiying ate a Torina Water Lily and drifted off to sleep after a long absence.

Although the dungeon was closed late at night, the Meteor Shower outside had not yet ended.

What should have been a beautiful sight now only made the adventurers, who had spent a day watching the Meteor Shower in the Zane Dungeon and battling Small Falling Star and various Elite Monsters against Meteor Shower backdrop, feel a bit of eye pain and nausea when they see the meteors in the outside world again.

The Elite Monsters in other dungeons are generally weaker, but there are also some with all sorts of strange and varied abilities, and some even have a peculiar chemistry with the Zane Dungeon, making the fights quite troublesome.

What do you need most when you're tired during an adventure? Aside from things like gambling, drugs, and prostitution, what you need most is, of course, good food and strong liquor.

At this moment, in a grand tavern in the Leyndell, Leon was hosting a banquet for the adventurers who had helped him that day. Even the busiest people came, giving the young "Lion" plenty of face.

This banquet is expected to last for several days, as people know that the Glory Stone Tablet is paid on a weekly basis, so everyone will have to keep working hard tomorrow.

Of course, people who have their own things to do can't come, but Leon's reputation can recruit more people.

"Hahaha! Today was awesome!"

Leon's hearty voice echoed from the tavern, but before he could fully revel in his triumph, a thud was heard as he collapsed. Malu shouted, "Boss's drunk!"

Then another burst of laughter erupted in the tavern.

The banquet was going to last for an unknown amount of time, perhaps even until the dungeon opened. An hour after the banquet began, a tall, slender figure pushed open the tavern door and stepped outside. Someone inside noticed his movement and asked curiously:

"Brother Fingel, aren't you going to have some more drinks? Why did you order an extra serving of barbecue?"

Fingel waved his hand casually and said, "I'm going to visit Tus. He must be tired from taking care of his sick family. You guys drink, don't wait for me."

"Waaaaaah ┭┮┭┮, Brother Fingel is so concerned about us, whom we've only known for a short time! I must marry him!"

"Idiot, you're a man!"

"."

His body shuddered inexplicably, Fingel felt a chill. He quickly left the street and headed towards the residential area of Leyndell.

Unlike adventurers who fight intensely from dawn till dusk, only getting three hours of rest after a long day and then drinking heavily and making a ruckus, the ordinary residents of the Leyndell have very normal routines. Although they don't retire at sunset, it's already past midnight, and the Leyndell is quiet except for the few districts where adventurers congregate.

A thin mist hung over the streets, and garbage dumps overflowed. The streetlights made of magic stones were either not working or flickering incessantly; occasionally, a few worked, but most cast dim light, creating a sense that Jack Ripper might leap out of the fog at any moment—a rather eerie atmosphere.

There was nothing that could be done about it. Tus's family wasn't particularly wealthy; they were neither rich nor poor, so their residence was considered to be in the lower-middle class of the neighborhood.

The Leyndell is indeed very nice, but it also depends on the location.

Fingel looked up at the shooting star, then suddenly noticed something, squinted to examine it closely, and muttered to himself:

"Strange, why are there so many people watching shooting stars so late at night?"

Occasionally, you can see residents gazing up at shooting stars from the houses along the street. They stand ramrod straight, heads held high, pointing straight up at the sky like telephone poles.

"New performance art? That's why I really don't understand the customs of the people of the Leyndell."

An unseen force made him ignore the seemingly unusual scene, but at that moment, a lake and a burning flame appeared in his mind at the same time, which made his eyes clear instantly, and he immediately turned his head to look around.

"Squeak—"

The grating sound of the door closing echoed through the room. The people who had been standing upright either turned and went back inside or returned to their normal state. The father, holding his child, pointed to the sky, and the family happily counted the shooting stars.

Fingel blinked, not quite understanding at first.

"Is it just my imagination?"

A strange feeling arose in his heart, and he quickened his pace toward the location of Tus's house. After winding through the streets, he finally found his destination, in front of the house.

Tus, supporting an older woman whose face bore a slight resemblance to his, was about to push open the door and go back inside.

"Tus!"

"Hey, big brother? What brings you here?"

"I came to visit you. It must be hard taking care of your family." The relief of seeing a familiar face dispelled the slight unease he had felt earlier, and Fingel handed over the packaged barbecue and beer.

"Wow, thank you so much, big brother! I'll follow you for life!"

Fingel smiled, looked at the older woman, and asked, "And who is this?"

"My sister, sis, this is my older brother who has always taken good care of me, the legendary Gold-Rank Adventurer!"

The older sister greeted Fingel with a smile. Her steps were unsteady, but her posture was very proper, befitting someone who served as a maid in the Royal Palace.

However, she only seemed a little weak, like a slightly more severe cold. Did she really need Tus to take special care of her?

"My sister recovered so quickly! I was terrified when she first got sick, but she was better in just one day. It's truly a miracle thanks to God," Tus exclaimed.

"It's all thanks to the Life Perch you bought! Saine is truly an amazing place," the sister said with a smile.

Seeing the happy siblings, Fingel felt relieved. He had only come to visit, and since they were alright, he decided not to bother them any longer.

Just as he was about to leave, Tus called him back.

"Big brother, can I come along for the dungeon exploration tomorrow?"

"Of course, is that even a question?"

"Then," Tus hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Can I... can I bring my sister along?"

"Um?"

The next day, in the Zane Dungeon, at the Firelink Shrine.

"What's the meaning of bringing someone's family in here?" Matilda pulled Fingel aside, her tone somewhat sharp.

Behind them, Tus was explaining the story of the Firelink Shrine to his sister. Both of them looked excited, and the members of the Guzha Squad called her "Big Sister."

"You know I'm not very good at saying no," Fingel chuckled twice. "But it's okay, let's go catch Small Falling Star in the Gourmet Area, it's safe there."

Yesterday, unable to resist Tus's pleading, and with his sister saying that after eating the Life Perch, she really wanted to go into the Zane Dungeon to see the origin of this magical ingredient.

Thinking that the Gourmet Area would be safe as long as he didn't go too deep or fight Pokémon, Fingel finally agreed.

"Didn't we agree to fight Pontiff Sulyvahn's Phantom today? Did you forget again because you drank too much yesterday?" Matilda said helplessly.

"Huh?"

Fingel scratched his head. "Then I'll go tell Tus to have his squad go to the Gourmet Area, and we'll go to Irithyll."

"Forget it, you already agreed to play with them, what's the point of refusing now?"

Matilda sighed and composed herself.

But just then, a sudden gasp came from behind:

"Oh no! Brother Tus and his sister have been sucked into the Black Hole!"

"!?"