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."

much to my depression, I found the others

best

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

was next to me chuckled and eyed

there, does yer arse

bastard did it

out laughing and twirled

me;

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

others behind me, I followed

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

bright light instantly clouded my vision, prompting me

the scenery presented before me, I was left in

"Woah."

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

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

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

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

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

as I

Elluid proudly looked at

around, he slapped my

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

"...Sure."

wrily replied as I massaged my

was small, his

best o'

"Thank you."

disappear back into the tunnel, I let out a sigh

fun?

slapped in the ass and thigh really

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

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

overall joyful and cheerful

grew in the

where should we go

tapped on my shoulder and

place to

replied after musing

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

have a look, at the moment, the priority

to better understand the place before deciding anything

understanding and didn't

that an

also see

surprise, Henolur did not only have dwarves roaming the streets as

were sold and crafted,

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

I was

matters worse, I had only

for me for

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

have some money

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

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

metallic sign hung on

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

display

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

the building, I urged the others to follow

lady with thick black hair tied into two ponytails, holding onto a broom, and

head, the dwarven lady

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

broom down, she moved

here for a

say that there were other humans in

just say that you saw another