As Zhao Shen entered the dungeon, a series of subsequent reactions unfolded in the newbie village.
Inside the dark hall, the chandeliers sparkled brilliantly, their luminescence illuminating the space. The vaulted ceiling featured a retro architectural design, with air conditioning ducts cleverly concealed beneath dragon-shaped ornaments. Two rows of shadowy figures clad in black stood silently within.
On the wall hung a stunning ink wash painting depicting eight horses in various poses, their grace and vitality captured through a harmonious blend of Eastern and Western artistic techniques. The shading showcased an exquisite balance of ink, rendering the horses in dynamic displays of motion—some galloping, others rearing with a long neigh, and yet others leaping into the air, leaving trails of smoke behind. This was none other than the celebrated Eight Steeds painting.
If it weren't for the modern laptop bearing the insignia of Earth below, which marred the otherwise ancient aesthetic, one might easily mistake this setting for a traditional court.
Thus, every matter, great and small, in the newbie village transited through this place, functioning like a tireless machine, its gears meshing seamlessly, grinding through the annals of time.
...
As the sun dipped below the horizon, two returning figures cloaked in black cast elongated shadows, seemingly melding darkness with the earth beneath them.
"Has the player holding the arrest warrant made any unusual moves?"
The voice echoed ominously, its chill palpable, and the empty chair at the computer desk added to the eeriness of the scene.
"ID: Dayu. Acquired the arrest warrant through a quest, engaged in combat at the coordinates xx.xx in the marketplace area," one of the black-clad figures answered, seemingly unfazed.
"Oh."
"But…" the shadowy figure hesitated.
"What is it?" the chilling voice inquired, its tone laced with impatience.
"The target of his attack is rather peculiar," the figure responded.
"In what way is it peculiar?" the voice pressed further.
"It's a chef! The very proprietor of that stall you instructed us to investigate," the figure confessed.
"That is not particularly strange."
...
The cold voice continued, "This stall has amassed a staggering trade volume exceeding tens of thousands within a mere week; in half a month, it has approached one hundred thousand, and within a month, it is on the brink of surpassing three hundred thousand."
The two shadowy figures gasped in unison. Such a high turnover for a stall in a newbie village was indeed suspicious, but…
"Sir, the players' transactions don't appear to concern us; we have no right to interfere…" one of the figures stammered, lowering his head even further, fearful of invoking the wrath of that chilling voice.
"You are mistaken. As far as I know, this stall offers only a handful of delicacies. I am merely intrigued by those culinary delights…"
The two black-clad guards stiffened at this unexpected admission, incredulous that such a merciless voice could express interest in cuisine.
...
In Lin Yun City, the headquarters of the third-ranked guild.
Lin Yun City stands as one of the most opulent main cities in the eastern district, bustling with countless shops and eateries. The streets, teeming with people, flourish from the commoner's area to the affluent district, where several major guilds have established their bases.
From guild recruitment to leveling services, a myriad of offerings filled the streets. However, within the confines of the wealthy guilds, the atmosphere remained relatively serene, as the Great Merchant engaged in casual conversation with a few friends.
"Have you seen the little stall food from Nicole's live stream? It seems quite impressive; shall we check it out together sometime?" the Great Merchant suggested.
"Oh? Is that the infamous dubious stall? You're genuinely interested? Aren't you busy enough with guild matters? Although that Golden Fried Rice does look quite tempting; it's worth a try," one of his friends replied.
Initially, the friend voiced his disapproval of the Great Merchant's interest, yet as the conversation progressed, a wistful expression betrayed his enthusiasm.
"Indeed, a few hundred coins is nothing to us, but this stall seems rather peculiar, implying there must be some substance behind it. Plus, there's a chance we might run into that streamer Nicole; it could be quite enjoyable," chimed in another friend, identified as Feng Qingyang, surprising everyone with his affiliation with the Great Merchant. As they finished speaking, the group shared a knowing smile, their thoughts aligned.
...
The busty girl, Balabala, logged into the game earlier than usual, instinctively glancing at the still level 5 ID: Blazing Village.
"Huh? This guy has entered a dungeon? Why didn't he ask me to join him?" Balabala pondered, resting her chin in thought. Logically, that level 5 player should have sought her out immediately—why the absence of communication?
As a girl, actively reaching out to a friend was already quite out of character. Should she really take the next step and contact him? No, that was simply out of the question.
"Hey, Hui Jie, you're here too? Let me treat you to a meal as thanks for helping me land my job!"
Just then, a familiar acquaintance from the real world was online. Balabala remembered how difficult it had been to find work after graduating, and it was Hui Jie who had introduced her to her current position.
Initially, Ding Zhenghui intended to enjoy a meal at Zhao Shen's stall, but Balabala had mentioned it to her numerous times. Out of courtesy, she couldn't refuse again, so she thought it best to invite Hui Jie to join her at Zhao Shen's humble stall. Although modest, she believed delicious food could win anyone over.
"Alright, are you free now? How about we eat at my place? I know of a great little stall. Just make sure to bring enough coins; today, Hui Jie plans to treat you well."
A newbie village stall wouldn't cost too much, but Ding Zhenghui hesitated to decline her request, casually suggesting it without realizing she might not be able to afford it. However, rejecting Hui Jie's proposal seemed inappropriate; they might find a better restaurant after visiting the stall. After all, Zhao Shen was in Blazing Village, and given the village's size, they might just run into each other.
...
As Zhao Shen exited the dungeon, similar occurrences spread through word of mouth, unknowingly elevating the reputation of his stall. Many flocked to it, including countless viewers from Nicole's live stream.
However, when they all converged upon Zhao Shen's stall, they were left dumbfounded.
"Huh? Why are there so many people in line today?" Ding Zhenghui led Balabala through the crowd, searching for Zhao Shen's figure but failing to spot him. Soon, they heard complaints drifting from the front of the line.
"Where is he? Who knows where the stall owner has gone?" the Great Merchant frowned, expressing his frustration. To save time, he had even spent gold coins to teleport there, costing him three thousand coins in total!
"Damn it, last time there was no one all day, and now he's missing for the entire afternoon! What is Zhao Shen up to? If this continues, I swear I won't return," grumbled a young man in sportswear.
"Hey, you said the same thing last time when you didn't manage to get an Ice Silkworm Dumpling, yet here you are again," another cheeky voice chimed in, exposing the young man's hypocrisy.