The Author's POV

KOOOONG—!

Entering the gates, the grandiose door soon closed shut behind us.

"Me name be Elluid Brickpike, an' I'll lead ye ta tha first level."

Following the dwarf from before whose name was Elluid, we walked through a narrow tunnel, that was lit up by multiple bioluminescent plants planted by the side of the walls.

"There be four different levels ta tha city, with each level differentiating by depth. At tha moment we're currently going towards tha first level, where tha main city be located."

Listening to Elluid speak as I looked around, I understood somewhat what he was saying despite his accent.

In short, there were four levels to Henolur.

Each level dwelling more deeply into the mountain.

Currently, we were headed to the first level, around 50 meters below the mountain and where the central city was located.

"From tha second level onwards, everything be aff limits. That be if ye value your lives. "

Below the second level, were where the vault, and working facilities were. Simply put, the temperature below was far too hot for regular beings to go.

Therefore, unless you wore special gear, it was off-limits.

Most of the stuff Elluid was saying, I knew. However, I still paid close attention to what he said as I didn't want to make any mistakes.

If there was one thing I've learned, it was that it was always best to have as much information as possible regarding a new location.

As such, opening my mouth I asked.

"Is that so, by the way, I've been meaning to ask, is there anything I need to be wary of when going to the city? Like the areas I'm not supposed to go, and how I should behave myself?"

"huh? good question."

Elluid's footsteps halted.

Stroking his long ginger beard, Elluid mused before shaking his head.

"Nae, in general, if ye dinna go below tha second level, there will be nae trouble."

—Smack!

Smacking the palm of his hand, Elluid suddenly remembered.

"Ah, right, it's best ta nae wonder too much outside o' tha city, as those pesky tunnelling monsters will give ye a hard time."

Monsters?

'I guess he must be referring to the beasts.'

Just because Henolur was underground, it didn't mean that it was safe from the threat of beasts.

As long as I was in the city, there shouldn't be any problems though.

"...actually there be something else, but it's best if ye dinna know too much."

"Hm?"

Elluid's next statement caused my brows to furrow. Didn't this sound a little too ominous?

Turning around, Elluid's tone became a bit graver.

"Human, it's nae that I dinna want ta tell ye, but it's best if ye dinna know since yer nae strong enough ta know. Had ye been stronger, I might've helped ye."

"...alright, I won't ask."

Squinting, I eventually nodded my head. Elluid smiled in response as he raised his hand and forcefully patted me on the back.

"Great, I'm liking ye more an' more human. "

Or at least tried to, but in the end, he ended up patting my ass.

"Hur, I like dealing with people that understand their limits."

"T-that so."

My mouth twitched, and I took a step forward.

As I stepped forward, I suddenly heard weird noises coming from behind me.

"Pfttt."

depression, I found the others holding onto

their best

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

who was next to me chuckled and eyed me with

there, does yer

bastard did it on purpose,

Elluid, who burst out laughing and twirled his bulky hand in

me;

"...I won't forget this."

at the others behind me, I followed Elluid deeper into

long, as we neared the ending of the tunnel, I could

and passing through the end of the tunnel, a bright light

light, staring at the scenery presented before me, I was

"Woah."

that felt that way as the others, too, had amazed looks on their faces as

small metallic pipes on the top of the hill to allow fresh air and light to seep through to the city below,

through a hole at the top of the mountain, forming into a pool in the

However, though they were all different, the infrastructures

infrastructure was built to the most delicate of details, showcasing the

far as I can

proudly looked at the

turning around, he slapped my

with tha money ye

"...Sure."

replied as I

was small, his slap

best o'

"Thank you."

into the tunnel, I let out a

fun?

me getting slapped in the ass and thigh really that funny? I

into the city. The moment we set

infrastructures and bright lights illuminating the place, I could hear the

cheerful atmosphere shrouded

expectations, grass and trees grew in the city, making the place look that much

where should we go

on my

a place to settle down for

replied after musing for a

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

the city to have a look, at the moment, the

to better understand the place before deciding anything

and didn't fuss over

that

see an

not only have dwarves

beforehand; with Henolur being the place where artifacts were sold and crafted, the fact that other races came

Be it male or female; their appearance made me once again realize just how average I was

that I was

worse, I had

me for

a couple of important places

had to have some money

me, asking the direction

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

sign hung on the

in human language; it was only after a while that

would automatically display the

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

the building, I urged

place, I saw a dwarven lady with thick black hair tied into two ponytails, holding onto

turning her head, the dwarven

haven't seen one in a couple

broom down, she moved towards

here for

she just say that there were

you just say that you saw