While the minions continued to discuss what to add onto the current battle plan, Jin had requested the System to place a few large hotpots at the side of the hologram so that the group could continue to enjoy the same perks as their comrades. Although it has been designated a holiday for the monsters and bellators, they did not mind doing work this way too.
Even Rex and the other Foxes shared their own pot with the minions but they left earlier since they still had matters to attend to in the Dungeon World. With their group gone, Jin also used that opportunity to walk away since he would like to check up on how his new limited Nian Dungeon instance had been doing.
“System, how are the people’s reaction to the new Panda Street Instance as well as the new dungeon instance?” Jin asked as he brought out a bowl of soup filled with piping hot ingredients he stole from the hotpot before running to the Dungeon Maker.
“As User had expected, there was an increasing number of people coming around 3am to 4am to play the new dungeon instance.” The System stated as it was not expecting that many people to come, especially the younger ones.
“Well, I remember using the first night of Chinese New Year as an excuse to stay up as late as possible while younger with Gramps. So I figured that tradition was unlikely to change even now.” Jin retorted as he was implying ‘Shou Sui’ or the tradition to stay awake in the night to be vigilant after the dinner of New Year’s Eve.
Chinese folklore had it that people are afraid to sleep during the New Year because of a monster called Sui, which is coincidentally the monster known as Nian too. So, in order to let their parents be at ease, their children would stay awake to keep watch. Nowadays, it was only known as a myth where enforcing Shou Sui would increase their parents’ longevity.
Most kids didn’t care about the origin of this and were just happy about the convenient excuse to stay up late without any scoldings and accompany their family and friends till early in the morning.
“That must be why the Nian Dungeon theme concept is always so well received in many dungeon suppliers!” Jin noted as he checked on the customers who had already tempted the fights.
“Wow, I guess not only teens but our elders are up early as well.” Jin thought to himself as he found Zi Dan, Jing Yu and Xia Mao being part of the few who recently bought the tickets for the limited Nian Instance.
The System had marked them as noteworthy, ever since the Salamander Keep Dungeon Instance where they led a number of cultivators out from a bind. They had also shown up on Jin’s radar since they already attempted almost every sort of instance he offered. While their dungeon instance clear rate was not as fabulous as the Pandawans, they were clearly above average.
“System predicts that their main routine is unlikely to change after discovering User’s Dungeons and Pandas. The trio has been included in their own set of constant participants. While they separated at times to indulge their friends, they always appear without fail to at least attempt a dungeon instance even if their fellow members are not present. There were only three occasions where they on an individual basis to dine with their friends.”
“So, you think they are worthy enough to become new upcoming Pandawans?” Jin asked the System for its opinion.
“User’s customer base only includes a few individuals who have received this title so far. Most of them have earned that title, even though some of them just happened to be part of the main clearers for our dungeons. People such as the Tortoise Cultivator who had accompanied the Ape Pandawan and the Swan and Stag Cultivator that had to accompany the Healing Maiden Pandawan.” The System answered with a feeble attempt to mask their identity while making its point obvious.
Jin understood that the worthiness seemed to mostly focus about their presence and spendibility inside his shop, and he had to agree that those mentioned, their dungeon records were not as stellar. However, he had no intention of revoking that Pandawan status especially since they were among the first few regulars he ever had.
“System feels the need to remind User about the conditions for accepting new Pandawans he himself has set. User had promised to make any team who managed a true first clear into Pandawans or alternatively one could obtain the position by clearing all normal story dungeons not counting whatever the latest one is. Many customers have launched a complaint that the second option is too hard due to the Deep Ones Dungeon.” The System argued.
“Fair point. So lets put it this way. As long as they manage to clear this dungeon, there should be no problem if we grant them such status, right?” Jin concluded, but both the System and Jin were aware that the difficulty of this particular dungeon instance was similar to Demon Santa Claus. Unless they could think outside the box within their first try, they would be annihilated swiftly.
“Hnmm well, I am feeling very VERY generous today, so I shall give them a helping hand this time around. They did spend quite a fair bit on my dungeons, and having a new set of Pandawans will show to customers that getting the Pandawan title is not flawed.” Jin decided.
“System is amazed how coveted the title is despite User not offering any tangible benefits.” The System remarked.
“Well, that might be the power of bragging rights at worse. Also, it’s not like they get nothing in return. …the chance to try my dungeon instances earlier than others? Sometimes some insider tips?” Jin tried to think of something right on the spot, and the System was literally speechless.
Jin was referring to the Phantom Gentlebear Dungeon Instance, something which some have already ridiculed as a joke instance on the forums and the main reason he had secretly handed the tickets out was to appease his Pandawans for being unable to watch him fight after the disaster of being teleported to various part of Pandapolis.
“Fine, you are right. It might be time to make that a permanent feature from this dungeon instance onwards. We could give them a special 50% discount for the early dungeon instance try. Or…something along the lines. I will try to think of some other perks to make it lucrative for others to join as well.” Jin surrendered when he could feel the chills of the System’s deafening silence in the air.
“System will review such benefits to ensure that the Pandawans have adequate recognition. Terms and conditions will be applied as well.” The System stated as Jin hurried to switch the screen on the console to watch the progress of the Elderly Trio.
Even if he wished to give them a helping hand, he had no intention to make it too obvious, so he had to time it right to make it look like it was an apparent handicap.
“I wonder why the System is so insistent of making more Pandawans…could he be recruiting people to be part of the new Panda Clan?” Jin thought to himself but decided to postpone that thought as he concentrated on his soon-to-be Pandawans.
