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."

my depression, I found the others holding onto their

best to suppress their

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

was next to me chuckled and eyed me

does yer arse

bastard did it on purpose, didn't

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

follow me; we're

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

the others behind me, I followed Elluid deeper into

the tunnel, I could see the light coming from the

the end of the tunnel, a bright light

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

"Woah."

others, too, had amazed looks 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 central square where a massive statue of a dwarf was

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

all looked like structural masterpieces as each infrastructure was built to the most delicate of

be as far as

steps. Elluid proudly looked at the

slapped my

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

"...Sure."

replied as I massaged

was small, his slap sure packed a

best o'

"Thank you."

back into the tunnel, I let out a

fun?

the ass and thigh really that funny?

we set foot into the city,

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

overall joyful and cheerful atmosphere

grew in the city,

where should we go

on my shoulder

place

after musing for

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

looked like everyone was itching to go around the city to have a look, at the moment,

better understand the

others were understanding and

that

see

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

were sold and crafted, the fact that other races came here

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

I had only myself

me

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

to have some

direction of the nearest lodging, we soon arrived in front of a certain

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

on

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

was in fact an artifact that would automatically display the words based on

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

the building, I urged the others to follow me from

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

her head, the dwarven lady exclaimed in

a human, haven't seen one in a couple

she moved

here for a

say that there

say that