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."

the others holding

trying their best to suppress

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

Elluid who was next to me chuckled and eyed me with a

does

it on purpose,

and twirled

me;

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

the others behind me, I followed Elluid deeper into the

neared the ending of the tunnel, I could see the light coming from the

my eyes and passing through the end of the tunnel, a bright light instantly clouded my

the scenery presented before me, I was left in

"Woah."

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

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

middle of the city, a great waterfall dropped through a hole at the top of the mountain, forming into a pool in the central square where a massive statue

uniquely shaped infrastructures that ranged in sizes. However, though they were all different, the infrastructures brought me this

like structural masterpieces as each infrastructure was built to the most delicate of details, showcasing the dwarves masterful

be as far as I can

looked at the city

around, he slapped my thigh and

manage ta trade successfully, with tha money ye

"...Sure."

replied as I

small, his

best o'

"Thank you."

at Elluid's figure disappear back into the tunnel, I let out a sigh before looking at

fun?

the ass and thigh really that funny? I

the city. The moment we set foot into the city, it

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

cheerful atmosphere shrouded

the

where should we go

tapped on my shoulder and

a place to settle down for

replied after musing for

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

itching to go around the city to have a look, at

understand the place

the others were understanding and didn't fuss over my

that an

also see an

have dwarves roaming the streets as we could see orcs and

this beforehand; with Henolur being the place where artifacts were sold and crafted,

elves were a lot better looking than I had expected. Be it male or female; their appearance made me once again realize just how average I was in this world filled with

that I was

worse, I had only

wait for me for a

ten minutes, I stopped by a couple of important places and directly sold some of the ores I had brought

had to have some money

ores I had brought with me, asking the direction of the nearest lodging, we soon arrived in front of

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

sign hung on the wall of the

it was written in human language; it was only after a while that I

was in fact an artifact that would automatically display the words based on the language

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

building, I urged the others to

stepped into the place, I saw a dwarven lady with thick black hair tied into two ponytails, holding onto a broom, and leisurely

in, turning her head, the

seen one in a

the broom down, she moved towards the

for a

there were other humans

say that you saw