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."

my depression, I found the

their best to suppress

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

was next to me chuckled

there, does yer

bastard did it on

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

follow me; we're almost

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

the others behind me, I followed

of the tunnel, I could see the

the tunnel, a bright light instantly clouded my vision, prompting me to cover my face with my

at the scenery presented before me, I was

"Woah."

others, too, had amazed looks on their faces

metallic pipes on the top of the hill to allow fresh air and light to seep

a great waterfall dropped through a hole at the top of the mountain, forming into a pool in the central

though they were all different, the infrastructures brought

as each infrastructure was built to the most delicate of

as I can bring

Elluid proudly looked

slapped my thigh and

tha money ye make, bring me ta have a drink.

"...Sure."

replied as I massaged

he was small, his

best o' luck,

"Thank you."

I let out

fun? Let's

and thigh

down a spiral of stones steps, we soon stepped into the city. The moment we set foot into the city, it was as though we stepped foot into a

the place, I could hear the raucous laugh

cheerful atmosphere shrouded the

in the

should we go

tapped on my shoulder and

a place

replied after musing for

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

it looked like everyone was itching to go around the city to have a look, at the moment, the priority was to settle down

better understand the place

the others were understanding and didn't fuss

that an

also see

much to everyone's surprise, Henolur did not only have dwarves roaming the streets as we could see

the place where artifacts were sold

looking than I had expected. Be it male or female; their appearance made me once again realize just how average I was

I

make matters worse, I

me for

I stopped by a couple of important places and directly sold

have some money after

the direction

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

on the

human language; it was only after a

would automatically display the words based on the

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

the building, I urged the others to

I saw a dwarven lady with thick black

head, the dwarven lady

one

the broom down, she moved towards the

here for a

that there were other

you just say that you