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."

the others holding onto their mouth's with

trying their best

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

next to me chuckled and eyed me with

does yer

did it on purpose,

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

follow me; we're

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

at the others behind me, I followed Elluid

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

bright light instantly clouded my

at the scenery presented before me, I was left

"Woah."

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

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

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

though they were all different, the infrastructures brought me this

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

as I can bring

his steps. Elluid proudly looked at

around, he slapped my thigh and

manage ta trade successfully, with tha money ye make, bring me ta have a drink.

"...Sure."

as

he was small, his slap sure packed

best o' luck,

"Thank you."

figure disappear back into the tunnel, I let out a sigh before looking at

enough fun?

me getting slapped in the ass and thigh

The moment we set foot into the city, it was

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

cheerful atmosphere shrouded

the city, making the place look that much

where should we go

on my

go find a place to

after musing

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

go around the city to have a look, at the

to better understand the place before

the others were understanding and didn't fuss over

that

also see

a side note, much to everyone's surprise, Henolur did not only have dwarves roaming the streets as we could see orcs and elves

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

were a lot better looking than I had expected. Be it male or female; their appearance made me once again

I was

make matters worse, I

wait for me

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

to have some

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

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

metallic sign hung on the

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

was in fact an artifact that would automatically display the

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

step into the building, I urged the others to follow me from

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

turning her head,

one in

the broom down, she moved

for a

there were other humans in

that