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 onto

trying their best

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

was next to me chuckled and

does yer

bastard did it on

burst out laughing and twirled his bulky

me; we're

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

behind me, I followed Elluid

ending of the tunnel, I could see

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

at the scenery presented before me, I

"Woah."

wasn't the only one that felt that way as the others, too, had amazed looks on their

top of the hill to allow fresh air and light to

the 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 of a dwarf

However, though

all looked like structural masterpieces as each infrastructure was built

be as far as I

Elluid proudly looked at the

turning around, he slapped my thigh

ta trade successfully, with tha money ye make,

"...Sure."

replied as I massaged

small, his slap sure packed a

o' luck,

"Thank you."

back into the tunnel, I let out

enough fun? Let's

slapped in the ass and thigh

we set foot

the place, I could hear

cheerful atmosphere shrouded

trees grew in the city, making the

where should we

my shoulder and

place to settle down for

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

to better understand the place before deciding

understanding and didn't fuss

is that an

also see

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

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

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

I

matters worse, I had only

for me for a

minutes, I stopped by a couple of important

to have some money after

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

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

sign hung on the

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

that would automatically display the words based

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

building, I urged the others to follow me from

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

head, the dwarven

a human, haven't seen one in a couple o'

the broom down, she moved towards

for

there were other humans

that you saw another