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."

much to my depression, I found the others holding

their best to suppress their

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

Elluid who was next to me chuckled and eyed me with

does

did it on purpose,

out laughing and twirled his bulky hand in the air,

me;

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

the others behind me, I followed

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

the end of the tunnel, a bright light instantly clouded my vision, prompting me to cover my face with my

the scenery presented before me, I was left in

"Woah."

others, 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

the middle of the city, a great waterfall dropped through a hole at the top of the mountain, forming into a

that ranged in sizes. However, though they were all

masterpieces as each infrastructure was built to the most delicate

far as I can bring

steps. Elluid proudly looked at the city from

he slapped my thigh and

money ye make, bring

"...Sure."

wrily replied as I massaged

was small, his slap sure

best o'

"Thank you."

figure disappear back into the tunnel, I let

enough fun?

me getting slapped in the ass and thigh really

city. The moment we set foot into the city,

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

cheerful atmosphere shrouded the

trees grew in the city, making the place look

should

tapped on my shoulder and

find a place

after musing for a

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

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

I needed to better understand the place

others were understanding and didn't fuss

is that

also see

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

Henolur being the place where artifacts were sold

I had expected. Be it male or female; their appearance made me once again realize just how average I was in this world filled with handsome and beautiful

I

matters worse, I had only myself to

for me

minutes, I stopped by a couple of important places and

to have some money

with me, asking the direction of the

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

hung on the wall of

was only after a while that I realized that

an artifact that would automatically display the words based on the language the

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

urged the others to follow me

a dwarven lady with thick black hair tied into two ponytails, holding onto a broom,

her head, the dwarven lady exclaimed

human, haven't seen one in a couple

she

here for a

just say that there were other humans in

that you