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 others

trying their best to

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

me chuckled and eyed me with

does

did it on

Elluid, who burst out laughing and twirled his bulky hand in

me; we're

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

the others behind me, I followed Elluid deeper

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

the end of the tunnel, a bright light instantly clouded my

the light, staring at the scenery presented before me, I

"Woah."

wasn't the only one that felt that way as the others, too, had amazed looks

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

of the city, a great waterfall dropped through a hole at the top of the mountain, forming into a pool in the central square where a massive statue of a dwarf was

sizes. However, though they were all different, the infrastructures

afar, they all looked like structural masterpieces as each infrastructure was built to the most delicate of details, showcasing the dwarves masterful

as far as I

looked

he slapped

manage ta trade successfully, with tha money

"...Sure."

as I massaged my

small, his slap

best o'

"Thank you."

I let out a

fun?

in the ass and thigh really that funny?

moment we set foot into the city, it was as though we stepped foot into a whole different

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

joyful and cheerful atmosphere shrouded the

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

where should we go

my

a place to settle down

replied after musing for a

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

have a look,

needed to better understand the place before

and didn't fuss over my

that

see

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

already knew this beforehand; with Henolur being the place where artifacts were sold

did have to admit, the elves were a lot better looking than I had expected. Be it male or female; their

I

make matters worse, I

for me

further ten minutes, I stopped by a couple of important

to have some money after

me, asking the direction of the nearest lodging, we

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

sizeable metallic sign hung on the

it was only

sign was 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 follow me

into the place, I saw a dwarven lady with thick black hair tied into two ponytails, holding onto a broom, and leisurely cleaning the

we stepped in, turning her head, the dwarven lady

one

the broom down, she moved

for

say that there

just say that you saw another