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 holding onto their mouth's with

trying their best

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

me chuckled

does yer

bastard did it on purpose, didn't

glare at Elluid, who burst out laughing and twirled his bulky hand in the air,

me; we're

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

behind me, I followed Elluid deeper

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

bright light instantly clouded my vision, prompting me to cover my face with my

adjusted to the light, staring at the scenery presented before me,

"Woah."

felt that way as the others, too, had amazed looks

allow fresh air and light to seep through to

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

that ranged in sizes. However, though they were all different, the infrastructures brought

as each infrastructure was built to the

as I can bring

steps. Elluid proudly looked at the city from

turning around, he slapped my thigh

tha money ye make, bring me ta have a

"...Sure."

wrily replied as I massaged my

he was small, his

o'

"Thank you."

back into the tunnel, I let out

fun? Let's

getting slapped in the ass and thigh

down a spiral of stones steps, we soon stepped into the city. The moment we set foot into the city, it was as though we stepped foot into

the place, I could hear the raucous laugh of the

and cheerful atmosphere shrouded the

grew in the city, making

should we

my shoulder

go find a place to settle down for

musing

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

city to have a look, at the moment, the priority was to

needed to better understand the place before deciding

were understanding and didn't fuss

that an

also see

Henolur did not only have dwarves roaming the streets as

place where artifacts were sold and crafted, the fact that other races came

it male or female; their appearance made me once again realize just how

I

worse, I had only myself

me

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

to have some money

direction of the nearest lodging, we soon

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

hung on the

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

automatically display the words based on the language

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

urged

place, I saw a dwarven lady with thick black hair tied into

in, turning her head, the dwarven

seen one in a couple

down, she moved

here for a

that there were other humans

that