Who Designed This Underworld Dungeon?

At midnight, when most creatures are deep in slumber,

Bed City bustles more as midnight approaches—when the Dungeon shuts down, and all adventurers stranded within make their return, whether laden with spoils or empty-handed, everyone needs wine, wine, wine—to either celebrate with joyous toasts or to drown their sorrows!

The taverns in the city rake in a fortune at midnight, and similarly, establishments like the adventurer association, Magic Medicine Shops, Monster Material Stores, and the like also fling open their doors at this hour.

"Bro, how was the haul today?"

"Getting better, I'm starting to get the hang of the Dungeon's layout. Conquering the swamp area is only a matter of time; we made it twice to that rundown village already."

"I heard there's a Strategy Group forming, led by the Silver Rank 'Lion' Leon. Should we join in the fun?"

"Strategy Group? Spare me, that's a bunch of Dungeon-obsessed folks. I swear, they'd marry the Dungeon if they could."

"Enough talk, let's drink! Tonight—hey, why's that person headed outside?"

As adventurers trickled back into the city, a slightly hunched figure swam against the tide, heading out of the city.

"That guy looks familiar, seems like I've seen him around recently..."

Anxious, Jack approached the Teleportation Gate and, under the curious gaze of the crowd, entered the Dungeon.

With less than half an hour until the Dungeon's closure, who would choose to go in at such a time?

The familiar swamp, the dimly lit sky above, the pungent air…

In these past days, he'd led teams numbering in the double digits through here, growing utterly sick of the swamp's scenes. Since everyone has a cooldown period after exiting the Dungeon, he could only personally lead one team per day; he'd have to rely on illustrating routes on the map for the others.

Actually, with Gong Qiying's permission, Jack had unrestricted access to the Sain Dungeon with no cooldowns, but that was a secret to others; he had to pretend he was just like everyone else.

There were always adventurers who thought since he treated the swamp area like his backyard, the other areas wouldn't pose a challenge either, constantly offering extra money for Jack to take them deeper into the Dungeon.

Whenever this came up, Jack could only smile and say, "We'll explore beyond this point another time."

It's not that he didn't want to earn money—it's just that he hadn't seen what the rest of the map looked like!

He stood still, waiting briefly.

"Thud!"

A wooden treasure chest appeared out of nowhere before him; he deftly opened it, and a dense fog immediately burst out.

[Triggered a Teleportation Trap!]

Soon after, Jack appeared in the Boss Room of the swamp area within the fortress, and a tall and imposing figure stood there.

He bowed respectfully and said, "Master,"

"Mhm," Gong Qiying, in the form of the Stone Statue Ghost, responded indifferently.

Jack wondered what his master intended to do.

It was impossible for him not to feel fear, but the benefits he gained from Gong Qiying dwarfed his fears, manifesting as awe, respect, and so on.

Moreover, this figure had once saved his life.

"How is your fame progressing?" inquired Gong Qiying.

"It still needs building," answered Jack truthfully: "Local adventurers can light the beacons and open the fortress doors with relatively few casualties. The only thing lacking is exploration of the map, while adventurers from afar need my help even more. I have some fame within a small circle, but within the grand scheme of the adventurer community…"

"In short, my role isn't that crucial in the adventurer community. If only I had newer map data…" Jack trailed off.

Gong Qiying understood what he wanted to say—he wanted the map of the areas beyond.

Regarding this matter, Gong Qiying had already been considering it. He could give Jack information about Sick Village.

But first—

"Take this,"

He tossed over a book, and Jack hurriedly caught it, only to see several big, glaring words on the cover — "The Actor's Self-Improvement"

"???"

Jack looked puzzled, which made him look up at Gong Qiying.

"From now on, you'll be the master of the dungeon domain. Make sure to play the role well," Gong Qiying said with a smile, grabbing Jack and waving his hand, causing the gate of the fortress to burst open.

He flew in the sky, allowing Jack to take in the entire view of Sick Village, then ordered all the monsters and mechanisms to be inactive, letting Jack walk through several times to familiarize himself with the routes.

And in the end, he showed the bonfire to Jack, who understood the mechanism's principles without much explanation, showing a comprehension ability even stronger than Steeran.

"Guide more people to discover this place, increase its renown, become the authority on dungeons in the minds of adventurers—two tasks," Gong Qiying held up two fingers.

"Absolutely doable!" Jack said spiritedly.

He had long grown tired of the view of the marsh region, and was excited to change the scenery at last!

Just when he thought it was all over and was about to take his leave.

"There's one more thing,"

"Please, go ahead,"

"Did you deliver the items I gave you?"

"Those weapons and magic?" Jack nodded repeatedly, "I've used my connections to send them on, to the Secret Order, the Holy Light Church, the Warrior's Home... They should all receive them in a few days."

"Very good, take these as well," Gong Qiying gave Jack a flickering white orb of light, which was the soul of the Giant Curse Frog.

"Try it by the bonfire, it's the opportunity you've been dreaming of,"

"I'm, I'm immensely grateful,"

Jack's heart was pounding fiercely; the orb in his hand was the key to his becoming powerful!

"And there's this," Gong Qiying threw over a bundle that exuded a strong aroma, a scent that seemed like a hodgepodge of various foods, which was enough to make one's stomach rumble just by smelling it.

"This is...?"

Jack untied the bundle to look inside, and the contents left him somewhat perplexed.

Fish with lobster pincers, a "snake" with a head puffed up like a frog's, mushrooms covered in chocolate, cabbage with the scent of almonds...

A whole bundle full of food ingredients!? Where did all these strange and exotic ingredients come from?

[Lobster Fish (Small) (From "Food Captive", as are all the following)]

[Spiritual Power Required per 10 units: 1]

[Overall Combat Strength: G--]

[Snake Frog]

[Spiritual Power Required per 10 units: 1]

[Overall Combat Strength: G-]

[Almond Cabbage]

[Spiritual Power Required per 100 units: 5]

[No Combat Strength]

"These items will be the special products of the dungeon in the future,"

Gong Qiying revealed a frightening smile: "You just go and advertise that the hidden areas of the dungeon will produce more of these,"

Jack blinked his eyes.

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