《Once in a Blue Sun》4. The Basement Running Challenge
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“That cockroach doesn't bother you?” Sam stared at the little creature down on the leg. There was clearly some weird magic going on, since no one actually noticed the cockroach until he said it.
“It’s weightless, surprisingly.” They didn’t see a shovel in the entire Level 40, and decided to head towards the maintenance and management office.
“Huh. There’s already a forum for this.” Sam tapped at his phone. “Someone has the exact same mission as I did, but all the way in London.”
“Oh.” Kevin turned, and quickly checked his phone too. “Send me a link.” Kevin tapped in his phone as they finally arrived at level B2. “Huh. What rubbish! Why is everyone’s missions so mundane and mine has a freaking bomb?”
“You always wanted to be special.”
“I did not.”
“Yes you did, Mr play-it-cool-I-am-picky-with-girls.”
“Okay fine, but this is unfair.”
“Life’s unfair.” Sam laughed heartily.
There was no one in the maintenance office, and yet the door was unlocked. The office looked frankly normal, and as they started checking the cabinets, they did not see anything... until one cabinet all the way at the end.
They opened it, and then they saw a weird distortion in space. They both had a blue screen appear before them.
[Congratulations! You’ve discovered a Level 1 Janitorial Closet Dungeon! Do you wish to attempt the dungeon? You will receive a reward or a hint related to your weekly mission! Each Dungeon completion unlocks a special perk-point that you may spend to acquire new skills or improve your life during the later stages.]
[You may add Sam Terchett to your party. For this dungeon, there are no penalties or perks for party members.]
They both looked at each other. A look that both of them understood.
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“Wait. Wait wait wait!” Sam said. “Let me check the forums. We can’t be the only ones who’ve seen this shit.”
They both went to their phones, and indeed, some guys over in Europe have seen similar dungeons. From what they saw, it’s all Level 1, and it’s actually very easy. Each dungeon was essentially a pocket space of its own, but sadly the perk-point shop is currently still locked.
“Well?”
For Kevin, any clue to remove that darned cockroach-bomb on his leg was worth it. “I’ll do it even if you’re not coming.”
“Kevin! What kind of friend do you think I am?” Sam responded with righteous indignation.
“The cowardly kind.” Kevin ribbed.
“Well. Fine. But yes. Let’s fucking do it.”
[Sam Terchett added as party member]
[Entering Level 1 Janitorial Closet Dungeon]
They were transported into a well lit, long and relatively narrow corridor wide enough for three people. There was a pedestal all the way at the end of the long corridor. On their hands were a flag.
[To complete this dungeon, place the flag on the pedestal. You will start from the beginning if any of the pests bites you. Time limit is 24 hours.]
The walls of the corridor opened to reveal cockroaches, spiders, and rats. Magical household pests.
“This is messed up.” Sam cursed. He wasn’t a fan of household pests.
“I know.” Kevin said. “Run!”
Kevin ran first, and Sam stared with his eyes wide open. “Hey! Why are you running without me?”
“You’re the bait.” Not that they actually needed bait. The spiders and pests were actually slow, so their numbers hardly bothered them. Sam ran after Kevin, but Kevin had a head start. They dodged the rats and cockroaches, and were both secretly thankful there weren’t any S-class threats, particularly, the flying cockroach.
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They ran, and ran, and Kevin reached the pedestal first. There was just a small hole on it and he jabbed the flag in easily.
[Congratulations! This dungeon is completed! All party members will be healed and revived, hints will be awarded, rewards and perk points added to your perk-wallet.]
They were done in less than 10 minutes, and they were both teleported back out to the maintenance office.
[You’ve received - Northwest Complex Towers All-Access Card.]
[You’ve received - Map Showing Potential Shovel Storage Areas]
[You’ve received - One Perk Point]
[You’ve received - Map showing path of two known Bomb-Defusers through the city]
Sam and Kevin immediately gave each other a high five.
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