The grim atmosphere in the Underworld Food Resto had thickened over the last day. Two of the players from another team were now gone—killed due to failure. Their screams still echoed in the back of my mind, a chilling reminder that survival here wasn't guaranteed. The system wasn't merciful, and every mistake carried a price.
**[11 players remaining: 9]**
We were gathered in the dining hall, and as the notification vanished, the doors to the kitchen swung open. The top patrons and the grotesque supervisors of each team strode in with their haunting presence.
Gorbul, the massive ogre-like figure who oversaw the kitchen, cracked his knuckles with a disturbing grin, while Drallith, the shadowy wraith in charge of service, hovered silently, his cold, mist-like fingers curling in the air.
Zargath, the skeletal overseer of the order-taking team, moved with eerie precision as he floated by.
"Today, things change," Gorbul growled, his deep, gravelly voice vibrating through the room. "You'll serve more creatures. Many more. And every day, your routine will change. No team stays in the same position."
He looked around the room, his eyes narrowing on each of us as though sizing up whether we'd make it through this day. "Failure to adapt means death. As you've seen."
The reminder hit hard, and no one dared speak. The tension was palpable.
**[Routine Shift: Teams will rotate. New tasks assigned daily.]**
I glanced over at Nero, who remained expressionless as my double body continued to stand beside me. His presence was reassuring, even if we were both growing weary from the nonstop demands of the dungeon.
Before any of us could react to the new announcement, another figure stepped into the hall. His appearance was unexpected—an outsider who didn't belong to any of our teams. He was tall, his clothes disheveled and covered in filth. His face was bruised, his skin pale and gaunt as if he hadn't slept properly in weeks. But it was his eyes that stood out the desperate, but somehow… still focused.
"This is Lacosta," Gorbul grunted, gesturing lazily toward the newcomer. "Been in this dungeon five weeks now. Can't pass."
Lacosta stumbled forward, his body clearly weakened from the strain of weeks of endless service. Bruises littered his arms and legs, evidence of the abuse he'd endured from the creatures here.
Without waiting for an invitation, Lacosta spoke, his voice hoarse. "Five weeks," he rasped, his eyes locking onto ours. "That's how long I've been stuck here. I've seen teams come and go. I've seen death. I've felt pain—more than any of you can imagine."
The room remained silent, but everyone's eyes were fixed on him. Lacosta had survived longer than anyone, but at what cost?
"The creatures here… they won't kill you for fun," he continued, wincing as he shifted his weight. "They only kill rule breakers. But that doesn't mean they won't hurt you if you displease them."
Lacosta lifted his shirt slightly, revealing deep purple and black bruises across his ribs and chest. "This… this is what happens when you screw up. You don't follow their rules, you pay for it in pain."
Eliana, who had been standing beside me, whispered, "So, it's not just about surviving. It's about understanding the rules."
Lacosta nodded. "Exactly. The creatures in this dungeon are bound by their own laws—rules we have to figure out as we go. They don't explain them, they just expect you to learn. Fast."
He paused, his gaze hardening. "You can do whatever you want here. Hell, if you're crazy enough, you can even try taming the creatures. But let me tell you, it's nearly impossible. They'll kill you first before they trust you. I've seen it happen."
Drallith let out a low, hollow laugh, as if amused by the very idea of one of us trying to tame him or the other monsters in the dungeon.
Lacosta's face darkened as he pointed toward the system interface that appeared before us. "The rules are presented logically, but simply. They're all right there, written out in ways you can understand. But it's the unspoken laws you need to worry about."
He gave an example, his voice grave. "Take the serving rule. Every time you serve a dish to the creatures, you have to bow. It's not in the system instructions, but if you don't do it, they'll punish you. Bowing is a sign of respect to them. You mess that up, and it's pain… or worse."
Another notification appeared, its cold blue letters hovering in front of us.
**[New Law: Respect the Patrons at all times. Disrespect will result in penalties.]**
Lacosta smirked bitterly. "See? Simple, but you have to pay attention. The system won't tell you everything you need to know. You have to observe and learn fast."
Markus, one of the members of the Service Team, raised a hand, his voice shaking as he spoke. "But if the system doesn't tell us all the rules… how are we supposed to know what's safe and what isn't?"
Lacosta's expression turned grim. "You don't. That's the point. You learn by watching, by listening. You make mistakes and hope they don't kill you for it."
The room fell silent again, the weight of Lacosta's words sinking in. The creatures here weren't just mindless killers.
They were bound by rules—rules we had to decipher if we wanted to survive.
Before leaving, Lacosta gave one final tip. "If you think of this place like a restaurant… you'll get by. It's about service, respect, and skill. Don't get cocky. Don't challenge the creatures unless you're ready. And don't break the rules."
"There's something else you all need to know. Every three days, the dungeon lets you go back to your world. But it's only for three days before it summons you back forcefully. No matter where you are, no matter what you're doing, the system pulls you back into this nightmare."
A collective murmur spread through the room, a mix of surprise and disbelief.
Lacosta nodded grimly. "On the fourth day, you'll return to the dungeon. It's a vicious cycle, and there's no escape until you pass or die. During those three days in the real world, you'll need to regroup, rest, and find a way to prepare for what's coming next. Trust me, you'll need those breaks."
He paused, his bruised body shifting uncomfortably. "When you're back in the real world, join a guild. It's not optional. The dungeon system is designed to force you into alliances, and guilds are your best shot at survival. The more people you have working together, the better your chances."
This revelation weighed heavily on the group. We'd be tossed back and forth between our world and this hellish dungeon, with no time to escape the nightmare fully.
But something in Lacosta's tone made it clear that this cycle was critical to surviving the Underworld.
Just then, Nero's voice broke into my mind, a calm and familiar presence amidst the chaos.
"Shian, don't worry about this. The system has already prepared something for us."
I blinked, confused, but trusting my system. Sure enough, a notification flashed in front of me:
**Ding!**
[New Task Arrived!]
[Spend 100k Neither Gold and earn a unique title.]
**Rewards: 500k Neither Gold, Special Tools for Underworld Dungeon, Exclusive Enhancements for Serving Teams.**
I couldn't help but smirk. 100k Neither Gold for 500k in return? And I get a title and tools to help in this dungeon? It's a bargain.
While the others were still digesting the horror of what Lacosta said, I felt a sense of relief. The system had my back, and even though this place was brutal, I had an advantage.
Lacosta, noticing the shift in my demeanor, narrowed his eyes at me. "You… don't seem scared."
I shrugged. "Well, my life is more than scary"
He raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead, he continued addressing the group.
"Make no mistake, this dungeon isn't just about survival. It's a constant test. A game designed to push you to your limits. And the creatures here? They aren't forgiving. But if you play by their rules, if you understand the system, there's a chance you'll get out."
Lacosta finished his grim speech with one final warning. "Remember, the system gives you the rules, but it won't always explain them. You'll need to watch, listen, and adapt if you want to survive. The creatures here aren't just mindless monsters. They're smarter than you think, and they respect power. But one wrong move… and they'll end you."
He turned to leave, his bruised and battered body limping toward the exit.
But before disappearing through the door, he looked back at us, his eyes filled with a strange mixture of warning and pity.
"Good luck," he said softly. "You're going to need it."
As Lacosta disappeared, the silence in the hall was deafening. Every one of us knew what was at stake. Two had already fallen, and the dungeon wasn't finished testing us yet.
The system chimed again, cold and emotionless.
[Daily Task: Serve the Morning Horde. All teams, prepare.]
"Well, I guess it's time to show up"