Who Designed This Underworld Dungeon?
Chapter 299 - 229: Just an Ordinary Blacksmith_2

Chapter 299: Chapter 229: Just an Ordinary Blacksmith_2

If they hadn’t encountered Andre, where would they eventually have gone? They might have wandered around this vast lake district for a long time.

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but feel grateful for meeting Andre.

The closer they got to the Academy Gate Town, the fewer monsters they encountered, and their strength also significantly decreased. Even ordinary people could stroll around nearby.

When the blurry silhouette of the town appeared in the distance, the elves all breathed a sigh of relief. They finally made it!

For some reason, the moment they saw the town, everyone suddenly felt really tired, like they were finally coming home after a month at Hengshui.

"Why hasn’t the strength enhancement effect disappeared yet?" Merca squeezed her fist. Nearly an hour had passed since they had the seafood feast by the rascal, but her strength enhancement effect still hadn’t worn off.

This long-lasting?

At this moment, someone else voiced the same question.

"After the meal, I felt I could move my legs and feet faster. Did any of you experience the same thing? Why hasn’t the buff effect disappeared?"

Speed increased?

Hearing this, Merca asked the others and found out that everyone had gained a random boost.

Never had they heard of magic or magic tools providing an enhancement that lasted for more than an hour!

Could it be—

"Permanent enhancement!?"

Realizing this, she almost wanted to turn back immediately and find the rascal.

If it was indeed a permanent boost, she’d pester him for food and drink. No, she couldn’t disrespectfully call him a rascal anymore, she’d honorably call him Brother Shrimp!

Unfortunately, she would later find out that this seafood feast, which randomly increased the consumer’s level by one, was a one-time occurrence.

In the end, they didn’t go back to find the rascal but followed Andre into Academy Gate Town.

Stepping onto dry ground, everyone felt an indescribable excitement, finally freed from the damp environment, where their shoes and socks were soaked through.

But their excitement was soon dampened by the scene before them, plunging them into silence.

"This place looks a bit, uh, I can’t describe it." The elves remarked.

Because the view of Academy Gate Town didn’t match their imagination.

Before entering the dungeon, Steeran had described the general scenery of this place, and they knew large areas were occupied by collapsed houses, so the sight shouldn’t be pleasant, but...

Can someone tell me what’s up with those colorful tents and adventurers sleeping everywhere?

The people who managed to pitch a tent were considered decent; most adventurers simply slept wherever they found a flat surface.

Merca had something to complain about. I understand you’re tired after an adventure and want to rest, but don’t sleep just anywhere. Aren’t you afraid your belongings might be stolen?

You’re adventurers, not hobos!

Carefully stepping over the adventurers sleeping in the street, the elves followed Andre to his blacksmith shop.

By then, most had finished their morning adventures and either died back to the bonfire or took a break here.

However, many who arrived here forgot enough supplies, and few brought tents, so most could only find a corner to sleep in.

Would they leave? No way, why?

Because after several days of adventure, those who hadn’t left had accumulated a hefty amount of souls.

If they left the dungeon, their accumulated souls would be cleared, and many were reluctant to part with them.

Especially those very close to leveling up, they were even more unwilling to leave the dungeon. They ventured out cautiously, fearing accidental death and the loss of their souls.

It’s worth mentioning that adventurers found it cheaper to revive in the Lake Lienia area, and the dizziness and other negative effects after revival were relatively reduced, making soul accumulation much easier.

But it also added psychological pressure.

This dungeon had only been open for less than two weeks. As time went on, what kind of mindset would those staying here develop?

Would they become unwilling to leave the dungeon?

"The buff effect still hasn’t disappeared. I think it’s permanent," Kunan said.

"What a pleasant surprise." Merca sighed. To level up, she needed over twenty thousand souls, which was no small number.

She then showed a mischievous smile and said:

"I wonder where Steeran has run off to. She definitely didn’t have our luck."

"Yeah, she’s probably struggling to survive somewhere. Poor girl, she got separated from us during the teleportation."

"Why don’t we send her a shrimp as a sympathy gift? We’re not stingy elves."

"Sounds good."

As the elves discussed this, Andre stopped suddenly. He had found his blacksmith shop.

A group of adventurers tilted their heads, looking at this sturdy uncle, sensing he wasn’t an ordinary person.

Curious, Curry peeked out his head since his house was right next to Andre’s blacksmith shop.

As for this house...

Andre looked at the anvil and forging tools thrown on the street and listened to the laughter coming from inside, his face expressionless.

No doubt, his blacksmith shop had been occupied by some people!

The elves grinned wickedly. No matter who was inside, this was going to be bad for them. The Boxing King might just treat them to a few punches!

"Bang!"

He forcefully opened the door, and the people inside turned their heads, locking eyes with Andre and the onlookers outside.

"Clang!" Steeran’s spoon fell to the table.

"Uncle, who are you?" Luluwo stood up, holding a half-bowl of stew. Looking around, she noticed that the New Strategy Group had turned this place into a kitchen filled with food.

"..."

Looking at the bubbling pot of stew in the middle of the room, the grease marks on the walls, the completely transformed interior layout, and thinking of the anvil thrown outside.

Andre showed a friendly smile.

A day later.

"Have you heard? A blacksmith appeared next to the merchant. He can enhance weapons using Forging Stones!"

"I heard others say he can only enhance weapons from Sain Dungeon."

"Nonsense! He can enhance any weapon, though non-dungeon weapons require more materials. Trust me, every soul you spend on the blacksmith is worth it. I will never forget the feel of the enhanced weapon."

"Is it really that amazing? I’ll go have a look."

"Oh, and there’s something fun I have to tell you. The blacksmith shop was occupied by the Skyrim Strategy Group and turned into a kitchen, but guess what happened when the owner came back?"

"What happened?"

"Well, they are now working as laborers in the blacksmith shop! When they tried to resist, the blacksmith knocked them all down with a single punch each!"

"That strong!?"

"It’s rumored outside that he is a hidden boss monster. No blacksmith can be that powerful."

"Did he say anything?"

"He said: ’I’m just an ordinary blacksmith.’ Just like that."

"...That’s quite ordinary."