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 onto their mouth's with

their best

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

to me chuckled and eyed me with

does

bastard did it

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

follow me;

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

me, I followed

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

light instantly clouded my vision, prompting me to

the scenery presented before me, I was

"Woah."

had amazed looks on their faces as they looked at the

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

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

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

afar, they all looked like structural masterpieces as each infrastructure was built

be as far as I

proudly looked at

he slapped

ye manage ta trade successfully, with tha money

"...Sure."

wrily replied as

was small, his

best o' luck,

"Thank you."

Elluid's figure disappear back into the tunnel, I let out

enough fun? Let's

slapped in the ass and thigh really that

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 a whole different

the place, I could hear the raucous laugh of the dwarves

joyful and cheerful atmosphere shrouded

trees grew in the

where should

tapped on my

place to

after musing

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

looked like everyone was itching to go around the city to have

I needed to better understand

others were understanding and didn't fuss over my

is that an

see an

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

knew this beforehand; with Henolur being the place where artifacts were sold and crafted, the fact that other

I had expected. Be it male or female; their appearance made me once again realize just how average

that I

worse, I had only

me for a

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

had to have

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

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

on the wall of the

only after a while

was in fact an artifact that would automatically display the words

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

into the building, I urged the

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

stepped in, turning her head,

one in a couple

broom down, she

for a

that there

that you saw