Dungeon Designer: Bringing Smiles to the World!

"No matter where you're from, you all know we're in the Age of Fire, right?" Patch asked the four of them.

Elisa and the others nodded in agreement. The story they saw when they entered the dungeon was about the war between the king and the ancient dragon, and the beginning of the Age of Fire.

Patch pointed to the campfire on the ground and said:

"All the differences in this world, light and darkness, cold and heat, life and death, all originate from that first flame."

But no matter how long the fire burns, it will eventually go out, and then the world will return to darkness, just as it was before the Age of Fire.

An endless expanse of white mist, towering trees, and an immortal ancient dragon.

Scenes from before the Age of Fire flashed through their minds; that chaos was indeed no different from the apocalypse for different worlds.

"Continue," Elisa urged.

"Don't rush me. Don't you know that storytelling is a skill?"

After speaking, Patch paused for a moment, as if organizing his thoughts, before continuing.

"In short, no one knows how long the heyday of the Age of Fire lasted, but as the First Flame weakened, the curse of immortality began to appear on humans in the form of the Dark Ring. These poor creatures are the Undead."

"Wait a minute," Elisa interrupted Patch's explanation, "How can immortality be a curse? Isn't this the ideal that all species dream of?"

"Hehe." Patch chuckled. "That's what everyone thought when the curse first descended, but the result is that with each death, the person carrying the curse gradually loses their humanity and soul, eventually becoming nothing more than an empty shell of flesh and blood."

After hearing Patch's explanation of the Undead, Elisa and the others were immediately alarmed.

Aren't these just like the adventurers they are?!

They are also immortal because they can be resurrected through the [Resurrection Spell]. However, if they are resurrected multiple times in a short period of time, they may lose their memories and humanity.

Seeing the surprised looks on their faces, Patch laughed and said, "Now you've remembered who you are?"

Forcibly suppressing their surprise, Joel and Elisa kept reminding themselves that this was just the dungeon, and everything was a fabricated story made up by the dungeon lord.

Rivera didn't seem to feel anything, maintaining her icy expression.

"Mr. Patch," Grace asked politely, with a hint of curiosity, "what does 'linking the fire' mean?"

"You've even forgotten your mission? Then what are you doing in this godforsaken place, Sicks Village?" Patch asked, puzzled, but still continued to explain:

"That is the mission of the undead: to add fuel to the First Flame, to keep the fire burning, and to allow the world to continue. This is the great pilgrimage of the Lord of the Sun, Gwyn, to link the fire. These campfires on the ground are the resting places for the undead on their journey to link the fire."

"Firewood?"

"It is the soul of a person who is strong enough."

At this point, Patch pursed his lips: "Although I don't like those gods, Gwyn is still a man of some responsibility. After he noticed that the First Flame was gradually dying out, he distributed the King Soul he had obtained to his descendants, and he himself led many Silver Knights to throw themselves into the First Flame, using their bodies and souls to keep the First Flame burning."

If it weren't for him, the First Flame would probably have been completely extinguished a thousand years ago, and then I wouldn't have any business to do.

The mission of the immortals—to pass on the fire—is to save the world.

After listening to Patch's story, Grace's eyes lit up; she was undoubtedly captivated by the tale of the linking of the fire.

"Alright, I've said everything I needed to say. Now you should believe that I'm a reliable Patch, right?" Patch gave a harmless smile.

"You can see the campfire too, so you're an immortal too?" Elisa asked, regaining her senses.

"Hehe, who knows? Anyway, I don't want to keep dying on the path of linking the fire and end up as just an empty shell. The identity of a merchant suits me better."

Patch reached into his pants and pulled out a large bundle; no one knew how he had managed to hide something so big in such a place.

"So, I'll ask again, would you gentlemen like to visit Patch's Old Shop?"

Opening the bundle, a dazzling array of miscellaneous props, scrolls, and even small weapons were laid out.

"Patch's Old Shop, Honest and Fair to All, Young and Old."

"One last question: what are those two things in your hand? Literally, humanity and soul?"

Elisa pointed to the two teardrop-shaped orbs of light, one black and one white, in Patch's hand.

"It's exactly what it sounds like. In this world, living consciously is more important than anything else. So, maintaining a clear mind and soul is the real currency. As for how to acquire it... hehehe." Patch revealed a rather eerie smile.

"If you're lucky, you might find them on corpses by the roadside, but many undead will plunder the humanity and souls of others to get there faster, but this behavior itself also accelerates the loss of humanity."

This is a time of despair.

All the questions were answered, but the doubts in Elisa and the others' minds remained.

This sick village—no, it should be called this underground city—is filled with strangeness everywhere.

A grand story that plays automatically upon entry, unprecedentedly malicious terrain, humanoid monsters that are neither undead nor living beings, and the gluttonous dragon that has yet to appear...

There are also a whole host of strange and unusual terms such as campfire, fire-lighting, immortals, humanity and soul.

Now, suddenly, a guy claiming to be a businessman appears in this dangerous place and tells them a story, stringing together the long string of words above, as if opening the beginning of a fantasy epic.

The sheer volume of information left Elisa and Joel deep in thought, causing them to momentarily ignore Patch.

Only Grace curiously approached Patch and looked at the items for sale in the bundle.

"Oh dear, kind-hearted lady, please have pity on this merchant! Buy something from me!" Patch said. "Everything from my shop is guaranteed to be of the highest quality."

Besides the [Return Bone Fragment] and [Heat Stone], whose functions are already known, the most conspicuous items in the bundle are several small bags containing luminous powder.

【Repair light powder

Metallic powder imbued with a trace of magic can repair weapons and armor, but cannot be repaired once completely damaged.

The magicians of Ulasil discovered that light is time.

Besides these, there were a few green grasses and some colorful grease.

Green flowers and grass

The green grass, resembling a large flower, can temporarily boost energy recovery speed when consumed.

This is an annual herb that grows near clear water. The Farron Undead Legion would practice by slashing it with their greatswords, and this grass became famous because of it.

Magic Oil

Root resin made from a mixture of crystallized wood buds can be applied to weapons to add magical attack power.

The effect will disappear after a certain period of time.

Bleeding oil

The root resin made from a mixture of blood rose and other ingredients can be applied to weapons to make enemies bleed more easily.

The effect will disappear after a certain period of time.

"These are all good stuff. You can only buy them from me in a place like Sick Village. Don't miss out if you're passing by."

Patch rubbed his hands together and looked at Grace: "Beautiful and kind lady, which one do you want? Each of these things can help you go further on the path of linking the fire."