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 best to suppress

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

was next to me chuckled and

there, does yer

did it on purpose, didn't

out laughing and twirled his bulky

me; we're almost

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

me, I followed Elluid deeper

the tunnel, I could see the light coming from the

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

the light, staring at the scenery presented before me,

"Woah."

others, too, had amazed looks on their faces as they

of the hill to allow fresh air and light to seep through to

a hole at the top of the

infrastructures that ranged in sizes. However, though they were all different, the infrastructures brought me this strange sense

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

as I

his steps. Elluid proudly looked at

turning around, he slapped

ye manage ta trade successfully, with tha money ye make,

"...Sure."

wrily replied as I massaged

small, his slap sure

o' luck,

"Thank you."

tunnel, I let

fun? Let's

in the ass and thigh really that funny? I couldn't

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

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

joyful and cheerful atmosphere

trees grew in the

should we

on my shoulder

place to settle down for

musing for a

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

to have a

better understand the

the others were understanding and didn't fuss

is that an

also see an

Henolur did not only have dwarves roaming the streets as we could see orcs and elves roaming the

Henolur being the place where artifacts were sold and crafted, the fact that

male or female; their appearance made me once again realize

that I

make matters worse, I had only myself to

wait for me for

of important places and directly sold some of the

have some money

with me, asking the direction of the

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

sizeable metallic sign hung on

it was only after a while that I realized that it was actually

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

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

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

thick black hair tied into two ponytails,

head, the dwarven lady exclaimed in

one in

down, she moved

for a

say that there were other humans

just say that