Chapter 34: The Golden Command and the Dungeon Upgrade!

In the Otherworld, there are two types of dungeons: regular dungeons and hidden dungeons.

Regular dungeons exist permanently and will never disappear, while hidden dungeons appear randomly and vanish after a certain amount of time. An example of a hidden dungeon is the Level 5: City of the Apocalypse from the First World.

Both types of dungeons offer the same basic rewards upon clearing. The main difference is that hidden dungeons grant a unique first-clear reward—the Dungeon Scroll, which is invaluable.

In the Second World, although there are three regular dungeons, each adventurer is limited to conquering just one. The choices are the Level 15: Dark Zombie Nest, the Level 17: Zombie Hospital, and the Level 20: Death Grounds.

Naturally, Zhang Yue set his sights on the Death Grounds since higher-level dungeons provide better rewards.

However, his plans had to change. Instead of aiming for the Death Grounds, he now had to target the lower-reward Level 15 Dark Zombie Nest.

Why? Because within that dungeon lay a golden opportunity—one that could be used to eliminate Chen Jun.

Soon, Zhang Yue arrived at the entrance to the Dark Zombie Nest, located about three miles southwest of Notting City.

Before him stood a massive, dark nest. Beneath it was a magically sealed portal. Standing beside the portal was an elderly NPC mage named Moen.

In the Otherworld, certain regular dungeons can be upgraded to hidden dungeons through special methods. These dungeons usually have an NPC stationed nearby.

That meant the Dark Zombie Nest could be upgraded into a rare hidden dungeon.

As expected, there was already a gathering of adventurers surrounding Moen, all hoping to upgrade the dungeon. After all, those who successfully upgraded a dungeon would receive bountiful rewards.

And the key to upgrading the dungeon? It lay with the NPC, Moen.

After initiating a conversation, Zhang Yue received a token from Moen.

[Regular Command Token] (Exclusive to Level 15 Dark Zombie Nest Dungeon)

[Description: By consuming 10 points of energy, you have a small chance of refining this Regular Command Token into a Golden Command Token. The Golden Command Token can upgrade the Dark Zombie Nest into a hidden dungeon.]

[Note: This item is bound to you and cannot be dropped or traded.]

Zhang Yue noticed that the other adventurers were gambling their luck, trying a few times and stopping after failing. After all, energy points were scarce, and the cost of refining—10 points per attempt—was not something they could easily afford.

But Zhang Yue was different. He was in it for the grand prize.

With the token in hand, Zhang Yue began the refining process.

[Ding~ Refining process initiated. Each attempt consumes 10 energy points. No limit has been set. Refining will continue until a Golden Command Token is obtained.]

———

Meanwhile, back in Notting City…

Chen Jun had just logged on and was assembling a guild team to head out of the city. Wu Zui, always cautious, advised him, "Boss, you've already used up your resurrection scroll. For safety's sake, maybe it's best to stay out of the wild for now. Wait five days until the scroll's cooldown resets."

Though Chen Jun was scared, he didn't want to miss out on the golden period for leveling and falling behind other adventurers. "It's fine. We'll just hunt in a low-level area. As long as you all protect me, nothing will go wrong."

To ensure his safety, Chen Jun held a Return Scroll tightly in his hand, ready to teleport back to the city at a moment's notice.

Surrounded by dozens of Yan Yu Pavilion guild members, acting as bodyguards, they ventured out of the city.

Not long after they left the gates, a group of solo adventurers rushed toward them.

The guild members immediately tensed, ready for a fight, but Chen Jun recognized the group instantly. They were the mercenaries he had hired to stall Zhang Yue.

Confident, Chen Jun stepped out from the protection circle and approached them. "Why are you back? Didn't I pay you to keep Zhang Yue busy, no matter what?"

The solo adventurers, their eyes gleaming with greed, stared intently at Chen Jun.

"50,000 credits! It's mine!"

"Out of my way, he's mine!"

Before Chen Jun could react, the group drew their weapons and charged at him.

The sudden turn of events left Chen Jun pale with fear. "You… you're rebelling?"

Stumbling backward, Chen Jun lost his footing and fell to the ground, terrified and trembling. He hurriedly crushed his Return Scroll, but the ten-second countdown was agonizingly long.

"Protect the guild leader!" Wu Zui shouted, as the Yan Yu Pavilion members rushed in to cut down the attackers.

Canceling his return, Chen Jun sat there, still shaken and incredulous. "I paid them… why are they turning on me?"

Wu Zui, ever thoughtful, speculated, "It has to be Zhang Yue's doing!"

Chen Jun gritted his teeth in rage. "Zhang Yue! I swear I'll destroy you!"

Wu Zui, still cautious, suggested, "Chen Jun, there's something unusual about Zhang Yue. Maybe we should lay low for a bit and focus on growing stronger."

"Lay low?" Chen Jun shouted, furious. "Without resurrection scrolls, we can't enter dungeons or fight in high-level areas. How are we supposed to grow stronger?"

Just as he finished speaking, a system announcement echoed across the land.

[Regional Announcement (Notting City):]

[Ding~ Attention all adventurers in Notting City! A Golden Command Token has been used to upgrade the regular dungeon [Dark Zombie Nest] to a hidden dungeon for the next two hours! Adventurers are invited to challenge the upgraded dungeon.]

[Bonus Announcement: Due to the upgrade, all adventurers who die inside the Dark Zombie Nest within the next two hours will receive a free resurrection.]

Chen Jun's mood shifted from despair to elation in an instant. "Someone upgraded the Dark Zombie Nest with a Golden Command Token? Ha! This is perfect!"

"With a free resurrection, what do I have to be afraid of?"

"Let's go! We're clearing that dungeon and claiming the first-clear rewards. I want that Dungeon Scroll!"

Wu Zui, still wary, reminded him, "Whoever holds the Golden Command Token controls the dungeon. What if they change the permissions while we're inside?"

"Only an idiot would change the permissions!" Chen Jun scoffed. "Unless they want to lose their shot at the rewards."

With that, Chen Jun opened the guild chat and kicked Zhang Yue out before issuing an order: "All members, log in now. We're heading into the Level 15 dungeon!"

———

Elsewhere, in the wilderness north of Notting City, Liu Yao, busy leveling up, heard the announcement and perked up.

"Free resurrection? Now that's useful! Especially for someone like me who can't use resurrection scrolls."

"Spread the word. Supreme Guild, assemble! We're heading to the Dark Zombie Nest!"

The announcement caused quite a stir among adventurers across the city.

[Don't Turn on the Light, Sis] (Level 13 Assassin): "Who's the lucky guy that got the one-in-ten-thousand Golden Command Token? Must've raked in some serious rewards."

[168, 90] (Level 12 Priest): "Anyone want to team up for the dungeon? I promise quality heals!"

[Shura's My Dad] (Level 13 Warrior): "Free resurrection? This is a blessing for casuals like me! I need a strong team to carry me!"

————

At the entrance of the Dark Zombie Nest, Zhang Yue, holding the Golden Command Token, stood quietly in a secluded corner, watching as waves of adventurers rushed into the dungeon.

Soon enough, his target appeared.

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