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 to suppress

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

Elluid who was next to me chuckled and eyed

there, does yer arse

it on

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

follow me; we're almost

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

the others behind me, I followed Elluid deeper into

the ending of the tunnel,

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

at the scenery

"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 city below, a vast and bustling

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

in sizes. However, though they

masterpieces as each infrastructure was built to the most delicate

far as I

looked

slapped

with tha money ye make, bring me ta have a

"...Sure."

replied as I massaged my

his slap sure packed a

best o' luck,

"Thank you."

I let out a

fun?

ass and thigh really that funny?

a spiral of stones steps, we soon stepped into the city. The moment we set foot

I could hear the

and cheerful

and trees grew in the city, making the place look that

should we go

my

let's go find a place to

musing

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

the city to have a

understand the place before deciding anything

others were understanding and didn't

is that

also see an

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

where artifacts were sold and crafted,

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

that I was

matters worse, I

for me for a

by a couple of important places and directly

to have some money after

brought with me, asking the direction of the nearest lodging, we soon

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

hung on the

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

an artifact that would automatically display

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

building, I urged the others to follow

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

head, the dwarven lady exclaimed

a human, haven't seen one in a couple

broom down, she moved

here for

that there were other humans

that you