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 holding

best

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

to me chuckled and eyed me with

there, does yer arse

did it on purpose,

glare at Elluid, who burst out laughing and

follow me;

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

at the others behind me, I followed Elluid deeper into the

we neared the ending of the tunnel, I

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

my eyes adjusted to the light, staring at the scenery presented

"Woah."

that way as the others, too, had amazed looks on their faces as they looked at the city below

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

waterfall dropped through a hole at the top of the mountain, forming

ranged in sizes. However, though they were

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

as far as I can

steps. Elluid proudly looked at the

around, he slapped my

with tha money ye make, bring me ta have

"...Sure."

as

he was small, his slap sure packed a

o'

"Thank you."

disappear back into the tunnel, I let out a sigh before looking at

enough fun? Let's

in the ass and thigh really

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

could hear the raucous laugh

overall joyful and cheerful atmosphere shrouded the

the city, making the place look

should

tapped on my

go find a place

after musing for a

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

around the city to have

needed to better understand the place before

the others were understanding and didn't fuss over my

is that an

see an

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

with Henolur being the place where artifacts were sold and crafted, the fact that

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

that I

worse, I

wait for me for

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

have

the ores I had brought with me, asking the direction of the

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

on the wall of

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

that would automatically display the words

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

the building, I urged the others to follow

black hair tied into two ponytails, holding onto a

head, the dwarven lady exclaimed in

haven't seen one in a

down, she

here for

there were other humans in

just say that