Hell Week: The Pyramid's Bug Exploit
"Is this the Black Pyramid?"
Erara let out an exclamation of awe as she gazed at the massive structure blending seamlessly with the black sands of the Black Desert, then turned to Black Wind.
"Yeah, this is the Black Pyramid, Le Kan's landmark, you could say."
True to his roots from the nation of Le Kan near the Black Desert, Black Wind referred to it not as the Black Desert's landmark, but Le Kan's.
"It's huge."
Erara craned her neck, sizing up the triangular behemoth that nearly scraped the clouds.
"What you're seeing is just the ornament. The inside's completely hollow."
"Huh? Something this big is hollow inside?"
"Yep. The Black Pyramid isn't a surface dungeon—it's an underground one."
There are two types of dungeons. Well, technically three, but let's skip the rare sky dungeons for now. Surface dungeons are exactly what they sound like—dungeons on the surface. Most typical ones fall into this category. But underground dungeons aren't just subterranean; they're far more brutal than surface ones. The monsters that spawn there are on another level entirely.
And pretty much all underground dungeons are labyrinth-style mazes.
This Black Pyramid in particular was packed with all sorts of gimmicks I'd crammed in, making it nightmare-level difficult. The first six floors were doable if you had some experience, but after that? Good luck. I had no idea how many times the other two devs had wiped here. Sure, I'd made the game with my friends, but as a total hikikomori dev who didn't share much, I got carpet-bombed with nagging like, "You added this without consulting us?!"
Eh, no regrets, though. If every dungeon's a cakewalk, is it even a game?
Anyway, our group stood before the entrance to the Black Pyramid, ready to start the entry process.
"Black Wind."
"Got it, Ijun."
I called his name, and he nodded in response. Erara shot us a puzzled look and muttered something, but something far more important was about to appear.
A system window popped up in front of my eyes, and with a flash of light from the ground, a certain being materialized.
Black lion for the lower body, woman for the upper... wait, what?
Hold on. The gatekeeper's name isn't Cleor. And the upper body should be male!
The Black Pyramid's entrance had a gatekeeper boss: a sphinx. It was a unique boss, but not meant to be farmed. I'd designed it with an Egyptian vibe—male upper body, black lion lower—to fit the setting. True to sphinx lore, you passed by solving its riddle. Fail, and it eats you... and retry. But this was reality, so failing meant possible death.
I know all the answers, but what the hell is this appearance?
Had the sphinx gotten gender-bent? It felt like my game's canon was veering off just a bit. Was I imagining things?
Whatever. If it's just a cosmetic change, no biggie. Wonder how it'll play out, though.
—'Tis long since humans last came hither. Know ye the condition for entering the Black Pyramid?
A voice emanated from Cleor's mouth—similar to human speech, yet utterly alien.
"Of course. Solve the riddle, right?"
I stated the obvious with confidence, but Cleor shook her head.
Huh?
—The condition is simple. Defeat me in combat to pass. 'Tis the Yacha Rule.
What?!
Since when did the gimmick change? Yacha Rule? What the hell was that?
"Yacha Rule?"
—So it is. But by the rule's nature, 'tis one-on-one duels. Fight me one by one.
All four of us charging in might barely win, and she wants 1v1s?
What's Cleor's level, anyway?
If it's like the sphinx, early 100s. At this early story point, our group's average was mid-to-late 40s. No monster info window for unique bosses, but she was definitely stronger than us.
—Fret not, little ones. Even in defeat, I shan't slay ye. Merely, the Black Pyramid shall be forever barred to thee.
Cleor has applied the Yacha Rule penalty.
Penalty: Permanent ban from entering the Black Pyramid upon defeat
The penalty took effect with Cleor's declaration. Unclear if it triggered on individual losses or total party wipe.
"Does defeat mean the whole group? Or per person?"
I asked Cleor to clarify.
—Per person would be too harsh. The criterion is the group as a whole.
Phew, relief. If the first guy lost but the next won, we couldn't just ditch the loser and enter.
But could we even win?
I could lie my way to victory, but that's too flashy. Can't risk exposure.
Rumors of some "perfect copy" nonsense had already made me a hot topic. Revealing my reality-altering power? Headache city. No wonder "shadow powerhouse" types exist—operating in the dark, helping without stealing the spotlight. Not that I crave it... I just want peace.
Then that thing it is.
I recalled one method. This was reality, but my game system applied here. Which meant the Black Desert had that.
Sorry, Black Wind, but it's for our sake. You'll get it.
—So, who shall step forth first?
"Me fir—"
"No, Black Wind. No time to waste—I'll end it quick."
Black Wind tried to go first, but I stopped him.
"Ijun?"
"Gonna take ages to clear the first three floors. No need to burn time here."
I said it with full confidence, and Black Wind smirked, nodding.
"Right. If you're that sure, you've got a plan."
"What? Ijun's going first?"
"U-Um, Ijun... y-you sure?"
Erara eyed me with intrigue, while Lien looked worried.
"One shot. Just watch."
—Such bravado. Come, then! I'll test if 'tis courage or folly!
"Up, down, left, right, up, up, down, down, right, left, down, up, up, right."
I scooped black sand from the ground, shouting directions as I flung it around.
—What dost thou?
"What's he doing?"
"Looks fun."
"S-Something weird?"
Varied reactions, but all stared at me like I'd lost it. As I shouted the final direction and scattered the last handful—
Rumble-rumble-RUMBLE!
The pyramid shook, its peak snapping clean off and plummeting straight onto Cleor.
—Gahk!
What in the—!?
The sharp tip impaled her body. She spewed blood and collapsed. I shrugged.
"Told you—one shot."
—Thou cur! What sorcery is this!?
"Just a little magic trick."
It was a bug. Specifically, a command exploit. Twist the set input sequence while scattering black sand, and the pyramid's tip cracks and falls. Only OG sweats knew it—true veterans only.
"Shoulda hit the head. Shame."
The bug let lazy grinders skip the riddle by dropping the pyramid's "roof" object for a critical headshot one-shot. Cleor was off-position, so body hit—survivable.
"Fight more if you can. Doubt that body's up for it, though."
I played it cool, and Cleor gnashed her teeth.
—Human... A promise is a promise. Ye pass. But should ye return... I shall have thee...!
Flames ignited in Cleor's eyes. That's when I got etched into her kill list.
"Let's go."
"Ijun, you're one crazy bastard."
"I am pretty great."
"That was sarcasm, but your positivity's impressive."
"Hanging with Ijun always means fun times."
"W-Wait for me!"
Having "defeated" Cleor (?), F-Class Group 6 entered the Black Pyramid's depths.