Park Exploration
As the talk turned to the Orchard, the chat exploded, and even the trial group members started buzzing.
"The, the orchard...!! When exactly is that opening...!"
"Hahaha! That's a secret! Anyway, that's all the stories I've got for you. Now it's free time! Don't you think it's time to explore the park? If you look around carefully, you'll find Worker No. 2 and No. 3, so chat them up—you might hear some fun tales."
We'd spent nearly 50 minutes at the kiosk. About three hours left.
"You're right about that. Everyone, let's start the park experience. As the other Padaks said, split up and check every corner. Switching to four channels from now on."
The word "free time" they'd all been waiting for finally hit, and cheers erupted.
"I couldn't hold back anymore!! Freedom!!"
"The lake—!!! Charging in!!!!!"
"How long has it been since I last splashed around? Kuhahaha!!!"
The trial group headed toward the lake.
A walkway curved along the lake's edge, paved impeccably with aesthetics in mind. The trees and grass, which bloomed haphazardly elsewhere, had been neatly trimmed or repositioned here—maximizing the lake's beauty while keeping everything tidy and orderly.
"Hmm... it feels just like the park walkways back in the Empire. Wandering a space like this in the Shelter would definitely be a luxury... If I had a family, I'd want to bring them here."
Goseongji approached the lake, gazing at the stunning vista, and murmured thoughtfully,
"Now we can even swim here... The incredible openness and serene lake... This is exactly what the Shelter needs. Everyone's battling depression these days. The Dungeon Master probably plans to keep making places like—"
As Goseongji waxed poetic, trial group members rushed past him on both sides.
They stripped off their clothes at unbelievable speed and dove into the pristine lake.
Splash—
Something filthy caught Goseongji's eye, and his blank expression twisted in horror.
"Dive—!!!!"
"Kuhahaha, I'm first!!"
Splash—
Having witnessed the lake's real-time pollution, a dazed Goseongji snapped back to the live broadcast and quickly panned the camera away.
"...Haa, sorry about that. Back to the walkways. Check other channels for more spots."
My eyes took a massive hit.
"Agh... f*ck... ruined my eyes... Gotta fence off the lake and make a separate swim zone... Rent out swimsuits too, that'd create jobs..."
Not a bad idea.
CBT really shows the issues. Diving in willy-nilly wrecks the landscaping and annoys other users.
"Nah... maybe a whole separate swimming pool dungeon...?"
Goseongji's walkway stream was fine, but I was curious about reactions elsewhere. I switched channels to Dragon Mask's broadcast.
The spot Dragon Mask and some trial group members had reached.
Follow the lakeside walkway to a fork—head outward, and you arrive here. Perched on a hill, it offered a panoramic lake view, so some members sat in the fields, soaking it in.
"Splendid~"
"Really a place to bring the family."
This hill along the walkway had something special.
"Hmm... buildings inside the dungeon...?"
"What's this place for...?"
Unlike the kiosk earlier, this had proper structures.
Wooden ones for now, but the graded plots on both sides of the road suggested more to come.
The chat filled with question marks.
Thud—
Then a masked dwarf appeared before Dragon Mask.
"Greetings! I'm Worker No. 2! You're all wondering what this street is, right?"
"Hmm... Worker No. 2, care to explain this place?"
At Dragon Mask's question, Worker No. 2 answered confidently.
"This place is...! A food street!!"
"...Food street?"
"Aye! Not just restaurants—we'll put cafes where the lake view's prime! Street food to munch while strolling the lake, or relax at a cafe savoring the view."
"Looks like the chat's already onto it! This street is the Dungeon Master's second roadmap!! Job creation!! Along with priority fruit supply, a chance to run a shop here!!"
"Wha...?"
"Not free, of course! We'll charge rent, sell fruit below market price. For the hard-up, take a cut of sales instead—note that!"
"Not just shopkeeps! You know the Dungeon Master hired tons lately! They could build these structures, guard the park, or clean as landscapers! More dungeons mean more hires ahead."
Tiger Mask's side featured a half-built grand performance hall.
"Hahaha! This is roadmap three!! Culture street!! We'll invite musicians for daily shows, and off-hours, anyone can book this multipurpose venue!"
"Ooh...!! Bringing back culture like this!! Brilliant!!!"
Tiger Mask hyped it up hard.
He loved arts and culture, after all.
"Hahaha! Don't just watch—anyone wanna belt out a tune here?"
At Worker No. 3's call, the trial group buzzed.
"Hey, didn't you say you dreamed of being a singer? Hit a song now."
One nudged a guy beside him slyly.
"Ahem... well, for old times' sake, one song... ahem..."
The man climbed the stage slowly, grabbed the amplifier artifact, and started a cappella.
El~ bounce bounce getting scary~ ♪
Is it just my delusion~
If you're obsessed with me~ what do I do tears~
Old maid elf's vi~cious~ness too~
Your shy bar~gain~ing lips too~
Are nightmares to me make meee~~~
"That's Silence Phil's hit El Bounce...!!"
"Story of a guy targeted by a bitter old-maid elf, thrashing to toss her to another dude."
"Ho, that fellow's got chops...?"
Sob... th-that dream of freedom I chased so long... waaah...
"...He's crying. Makes sense—rediscovering a forsaken dream."
"Damn... even my nose is tingling."
"Truly moving."
And so the trial group explored the park's nooks, time slipping away as sunset approached.
The twilight dyed Starlight Lake Park red.
Phase 2 was about to begin.