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 red

their best

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

was next to me chuckled

does yer

did it on purpose, didn't

a glare at Elluid, who burst out laughing and twirled

follow me; we're almost

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

behind me, I followed Elluid deeper into the

ending of the tunnel, I could

light instantly clouded my vision, prompting me to cover

staring at the scenery

"Woah."

one that felt that way as the others, too, had amazed looks

of the hill to allow fresh air and light

the top of the mountain, forming into a pool

in sizes. However, though they were

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

as far as

proudly looked at the

slapped my

with tha money ye make, bring me ta have

"...Sure."

wrily replied as I massaged my

his slap sure packed a

o'

"Thank you."

tunnel, I let out a sigh before looking at the

enough fun? Let's

getting slapped in the ass and thigh really

set foot into the city,

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

overall joyful and cheerful atmosphere

grew in the city, making

where should we go

my shoulder and

find a place to settle down for

musing for

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

have a look, at the moment, the priority was to settle

needed to better understand

were understanding and didn't fuss over my

is that an

see an

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

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

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

that I

make matters worse, I had only

wait for me

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

have some

the direction of the nearest lodging, we soon

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

sizeable metallic sign hung on the

my surprise, it was written in human language; it was only after a while

automatically display the words based on the language the viewer could

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

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 broom, and leisurely cleaning the wooden

turning her head,

seen one

down, she moved towards the

for a

there were other humans

say that you