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."

to my depression, I found the others holding

their best to suppress

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

next to me chuckled

does yer

it on

shot a glare at Elluid, who burst out laughing and twirled his bulky hand in the air, nudging me to follow

follow me;

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

I

ending of the tunnel,

end of the tunnel, a bright light instantly clouded my vision, prompting me to cover

adjusted to the light, staring at the scenery presented before me, I was left in

"Woah."

as the others, too, had amazed looks on their

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

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

though they were all different,

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

be as far as I can

his steps. Elluid proudly looked at the city from

slapped

trade successfully, with tha money ye make, bring me ta have

"...Sure."

wrily replied as I

he was small, his slap sure packed a

o' luck,

"Thank you."

disappear back into the tunnel, I let

fun? Let's

the ass and thigh really that funny? I

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

the place, I could hear the raucous laugh

joyful and cheerful

trees grew in the city, making the place look that much

should

tapped on my shoulder

let's go find a place to settle down for

replied after musing

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

go around the city to have a

I needed to better understand the place

the others were understanding and didn't

is that an

also see an

have dwarves roaming the streets as we could see orcs and

were sold and crafted, the

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

that I was

matters worse, I had only myself to

me

by a couple of important places and directly sold some of the ores I had brought with

had to have

some of the ores I had brought with me, asking the direction of the nearest lodging, we

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

hung on the wall of the

human language; it was only after

display the words based on the

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

into the building, I urged the others to follow me from

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

stepped in, turning her head, the dwarven lady exclaimed in

human, haven't seen one in a couple

down, she moved towards

here for a

say that there were other humans

just say that you