Atlas Studios

  Atlas Studios

  Most of the 2,000 new gamers had already gathered at the plaza before the Dungeon Core Main Hall in the less than ten minutes since Eternal Kingdom started running.

  A small portion of the new gamers left to do their missions.

  On the other side, eighty impressive Goblins with superior equipment and an aura of killing intent walked over from the Living Quarters. Compared to the new gamers with their tattered clothing, the eighty Goblins were armed to the teeth.

  They had shiny Breastplates, spiked Shoulder Armor, spiral-patterned Vambraces, and belts that bobbed up and down with their movements.

  Their skin was green and their pointed noses wrinkled. They had a large mouth with yellow teeth, but underneath the Roman Helmets were determined faces.

  The Goblins were walking at a slower pace. Clapping sounds, fresh flowers, and rainbow-colored borders seemed to appear at their sides. They shone like stars of the eight o’clock idol dramas.

  The novice Goblins gaped at what they saw.

  One of the female Goblins, SeafoodShavedIce, said to herself, “I’m so envious of their equipment that I’m salivating. They look so cool. I should have chosen the male gender.”


  The veteran Goblins had “Elite First Beta Gamer” next to their names. That was the title obtained from the First Beta Gamer rewards pack.

  Besides the title, the rewards pack consisted of 3,000 Reputation Points and three silver coins. The silver coins were directly deposited into their virtual bank accounts.

  “The veteran gamers from the First Beta! They’re the veterans from the First Beta! Ah, I’m dying!”


  “Is that Arthur? The one with black armor. The rich gamer with millions of Renminbi!”


  “Idol, awesome!”


  “Gosh, he’s too suave. Is the equipment from the Instance Dungeon? Are there any pieces of equipment from the Ancient Ruins?”


  “I didn’t know Goblins could be that cool. You look better than the photographs.”


  “How is a Goblin suave? Why can’t I see that?”


  “My husband, Sherlie, is the most handsome.”


  “Your husband and Brainiac have an album published on the discussion forum.”


  The 2,000 gamers gave similar compliments at the same time. Dragonborn could only hear the gamers close to him, and the rest were only buzzing sounds.

  The Goblins that walked over were the veterans of the First Beta, the gamers who had created sensational news on the discussion forum.

  The Second Beta Gamers were green with envy when they noticed the noisy full-body armor, huge Kite Shields, and various weapons.

  Dragonborn was being pushed towards the First Beta Gamers by the horde of Second Beta Gamers.

  The First Beta Gamers raised up both their hands instinctively in a protective stance, and the crowd stopped moving.

  The Second Beta Gamers formed a semi-circle around the First Beta Gamers and gazed at them relentlessly.

  A gamer with “Elite First Beta Gamer, NotWearingPants” above his head walked to the “Trash Hill” at the plaza and stood at the top. He banged his Short Sword on his Kite Shield to produce deafening sounds, but the chattering voices of the Second Beta Gamers didn’t quieten down.

  Under the lead of a few First Beta Gamers, the rest of the First Beta Gamers banged their swords on their shields with the same rhythm.

  The noise of a hundred gamers banging on their shields was much louder than NotWearingPants’ voice and suppressed the chattering voices of the Second Beta Gamers. Most of the gamers became silent.

  “Stop talking! The veteran is going to speak!”


  “Keep quiet. Listen to what the veteran, NotWearingPants, is saying.”


  “Are you elementary kids? Can’t you stop talking?”


  “Stop your racket.”


  “Keep quiet. Keep quiet.”


  The Second Beta Gamers helped to silence the other gamers who were still chatting. There were some minor conflicts, but they didn’t create many problems as they were stopped by the nearby gamers.

  When the Second Beta Gamers were almost quiet, NotWearingPants took out a simple megaphone made of Dire Wolf Skin and shouted at the large crowd, “Everyone, listen up! We’ll only spend a day to mentor you on the game mechanics! For those who would like to learn from us, raise your hands. We’ll only mentor gamers who raise their hands, and it’s totally free! If you would like to pay us, we’ll not reject your gesture!”


  More than a thousand gamers raised their hands and shouted out.

  “Teach me!”


  “Mentor me! I’m the most obedient!”


  “Veteran Arthur, I want to be your disciple!”


  “Veterans, mentor me!”


  Dragonborn immediately raised his hand. He was totally clueless about this game.

  TakeASpearHit and SealHeadLingChong raised their hands too.

  The Black Armored Goblin with the word “Arthur” above his head walked to Dragonborn and said to him and the nearby gamers, “All of you, follow me.”


  Dragonborn was stunned, but he replied, “Okay.”
……

  Moroes stood at the Training Ground, and his face looked pale.

  He looked at the nearby wandering Goblins and the distant sea of Goblins.

  “Take a look. He is the Novice Skills Trainer, Moroes. Remember this location, it’s called the Training Ground. There’s no way to attack the Dungeon NPCs, so don’t think about it. They have no health bar,” a fully armed Goblin said to the tens of Goblins behind him.

  That Goblin pointed to the nearby empty space and said, “That’s the place for setting up stalls. When you’ve defeated monsters in the Instance Dungeon, the loot can be sold here. The First Beta Gamers also like to form our teams here. Now that there are so many of us, I don’t think this place is sufficient to accommodate all of us.”


  “I won’t be explaining the contents of the Novice Skills Training, as there are detailed Strategy Guides. Take a look during your free time. I’ll take you to the train,” the armed Goblin said before he left with his group of Goblins.

  Moroes was puzzled.

  Another armed Goblin brought twenty Goblins who were wearing tattered clothing over. He pointed at Moroes and said, “He’s the Novice Skills Trainer, Moroes. This place is the Training Ground. We usually form teams and do our transactions here. Remember that.”


  There was another group of Goblins queuing up behind them orderly. They gazed at Moroes with anticipation.

  A Goblin was maintaining order at the side, and he shouted, “Follow closely and don’t drop out. After this introduction, those who would like to die, I’ll bring you to Brainiac to experience death.”