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

best to suppress their

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

was next to me chuckled and eyed

does yer

it on purpose, didn't

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

me; we're almost

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

the others behind me, I followed Elluid deeper

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

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

at the scenery presented before me, I

"Woah."

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

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

through a hole at the top of the mountain, forming into a pool in the central

though

infrastructure was

as far as

looked at the city

turning around, he slapped

trade successfully, with tha money ye make, bring me ta

"...Sure."

replied as

small, his slap sure packed

best o'

"Thank you."

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

enough fun? Let's

in the ass and thigh really that funny?

we set foot into the

could hear the raucous laugh of the dwarves

and cheerful atmosphere shrouded

the city,

where should we

my

let's go find a place to settle down for

replied after musing

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

around the city to have a

to better understand the place before deciding

understanding and didn't fuss over

that

also see an

side note, much to everyone's surprise, Henolur did not only have dwarves roaming

place where artifacts were sold and crafted, the

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

I

I

me

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

have

me, asking the direction of the nearest lodging, we

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

on the wall

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

in fact an artifact that would automatically display the words based on the language the viewer could

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

the building, I urged the others to

a dwarven lady with thick black hair

in, turning her head, the dwarven

haven't seen one in a

down, she moved towards

here for a

just say that there were

you just say that you saw another