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

best to suppress their

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

next to me chuckled and eyed

there, does yer

it on purpose, didn't

at Elluid, who burst out laughing and twirled his bulky hand in the air, nudging me to follow

me; we're

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

others behind me, I followed Elluid deeper into the

of the tunnel, I could see the light coming

my eyes and passing through the end of the tunnel, a bright light instantly clouded my

light, staring at the scenery presented before me, I was left in

"Woah."

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

hill to allow fresh air and light to seep through to the city below, a vast and bustling city appeared before

through a hole at the top of the mountain, forming into

many uniquely shaped infrastructures that ranged in sizes. However, though they were all different, the

each infrastructure was built to the most delicate of details,

as far as

proudly looked

he slapped my

tha money ye make, bring

"...Sure."

as I massaged my

his slap sure

o'

"Thank you."

figure disappear back into the tunnel, I let out

fun?

in the ass and thigh

spiral of stones steps, we soon stepped into the city. The moment we set foot into the city, it was as though we stepped

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

overall joyful and cheerful atmosphere

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

should

on my

find a place to settle down for

replied after musing for

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

to have a look, at the moment, the

to better understand the place before deciding

were understanding and didn't fuss over my

that an

also see an

much to everyone's surprise, Henolur did not only have dwarves roaming the streets

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

lot better looking than I had expected. Be it male or female; their

that I

matters worse, I had only myself to

wait for me for a

a further ten minutes, I stopped by a couple of important places

to have some money after

me, asking the direction of the nearest lodging, we soon arrived in front of

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

metallic sign hung on the wall of

only after a

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

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

I urged the others to

I saw a dwarven lady with thick black hair tied into

head, the

seen one

down, she moved towards

for

say that there were other humans

just say that