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."

found the others holding

trying their best to suppress their

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

Elluid who was next to me chuckled and

does

did it on purpose, didn't

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

me; we're almost

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

at the others behind me, I followed Elluid deeper into the

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

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

light, staring at the scenery presented

"Woah."

had amazed looks on their faces as they looked at

to allow fresh air and light to seep through to the city below, a

a hole at the top of the mountain, forming into a pool in the

infrastructures that ranged in sizes. However, though they were all different, the infrastructures brought me this strange sense of

infrastructure was built to the

far as I can

looked at

turning around, he slapped my thigh

money ye make, bring me ta

"...Sure."

wrily replied as I massaged

his

best o'

"Thank you."

figure disappear back into the tunnel, I let

fun? Let's

getting slapped in the ass and thigh

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

illuminating the place, I could hear the raucous

overall joyful and cheerful atmosphere shrouded

in the city, making the place look

where should we go

my

go find a place to

after musing for a

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

have a look, at

needed to better understand the

and

is that

see an

have dwarves roaming the streets as we could see orcs and elves roaming the

artifacts were

I did have to admit, the 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 handsome

I

make matters worse, I had only myself

for me for

for a further ten minutes, I stopped by a couple of important places and

to have some

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 wall of the

my surprise, it was written in human language; it was only after a

an artifact that would automatically display the

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

into the building, I urged the others to follow

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

in, turning her head,

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

down, she

for

she just say that there

that