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."

I found the others holding

best to

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

to me chuckled

does

it on

laughing and twirled his bulky

follow me; we're almost

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

I

tunnel, I

end of the tunnel, a bright light instantly clouded

at the scenery presented before me,

"Woah."

that felt that way as the others, too, had

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

the mountain, forming into a pool in the central square where a

the statue, were many uniquely shaped infrastructures that ranged in sizes. However, though they were all

each infrastructure was built to the most delicate

as I

looked at the city

around, he slapped my thigh

with tha money

"...Sure."

as I

he was small, his slap sure packed a

o' luck,

"Thank you."

back into the tunnel, I let out a sigh before looking at the

enough fun?

getting slapped in the ass and thigh really that funny? I couldn't

stepped into the city. The moment we set foot into the city, it was as though

lights illuminating the place, I could hear the raucous laugh of the dwarves

cheerful atmosphere shrouded

the

should

tapped on my shoulder

let's go find a place to settle

replied after musing

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

go around the city to have a look, at the moment, the priority was to settle

understand

and didn't fuss over my

is that an

see

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

already knew this beforehand; with Henolur being the place where artifacts were sold and

it male or female; their appearance made me once again realize just how average I was in this world filled

that I was

worse, I had only myself to

wait for me for

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

have some

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

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

hung on the wall

in human language; it was only after a

would automatically display the words based on the

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

building, I urged

moment I stepped into the place, I saw a dwarven lady with thick black hair tied into two

her head, the dwarven lady exclaimed

a human, haven't seen one in

the broom down, she moved towards

for

there were other humans in

that you saw another