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."

I found the

best to suppress

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

to me chuckled and eyed me with a teasing

does

bastard did it on

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

follow me;

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

the others behind me, I followed

the ending of the tunnel, I could see the light coming from the

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

the

"Woah."

too, had amazed looks on their faces as they looked at the city

on the top of the hill to allow fresh air and light to seep through to the city below, a vast and bustling

the mountain, forming into a pool in the central square where a massive statue of

that ranged in sizes. However, though they were all different, the infrastructures brought

infrastructure was built to the most

as I

looked

around, he slapped

ta trade successfully, with tha money

"...Sure."

wrily replied as I massaged my

his slap sure packed a

o' luck,

"Thank you."

tunnel, I let out a sigh before looking at

enough fun? Let's

me getting slapped in the ass and

city. The moment we set foot into the city, it was as though

the place, I could hear the raucous

joyful and cheerful atmosphere shrouded

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

where should

on my shoulder

a place to settle down for

replied after musing for

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

everyone was itching to go around the city to have a look, at the

I needed to better understand the place before deciding anything

the others were understanding and didn't

is that an

also see

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

Henolur being the place where artifacts were

had expected. Be it male or female;

I

make matters worse, I had only myself

me

stopped by a couple of important places and directly sold some of the ores I had

to have some money

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

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

metallic sign hung on the wall of the

language; it was only after a while that I realized that it was

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

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

the building, I urged

thick black hair tied into two ponytails, holding onto a broom, and leisurely cleaning the wooden

stepped in, turning her head, the dwarven

a human, haven't seen one in

the broom down, she moved towards the

for a

there were

that you saw