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 onto

trying their best to suppress their

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

Elluid who was next to me chuckled

there, does yer arse

did it on purpose, didn't

and twirled his bulky hand in the air, nudging me

me; we're

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

at the others behind me, I followed Elluid

long, as we neared the ending of the tunnel, I

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

light, staring at the scenery presented before me, I

"Woah."

only one that felt that way as the others, too, had amazed

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

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

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

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

far as

looked at

he slapped my

with tha money ye make, bring me

"...Sure."

replied as

small, his slap sure

o' luck,

"Thank you."

at Elluid's figure disappear back into the tunnel, I let out

enough fun? Let's

me getting slapped in the ass and thigh really that funny?

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

the place, I could hear the raucous laugh of the dwarves

overall joyful and cheerful atmosphere shrouded the

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

where should we go

my shoulder and

place

replied after musing for

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

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

understand the

the others were understanding and didn't fuss

is that

see an

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

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

had expected. Be it male or female; their appearance made me once again realize just how average I was in

that I

make matters worse, I had

wait for me

stopped by a couple of important places

have some money

asking the direction of the nearest lodging,

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

sign hung on the

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

automatically display the words based on the language the

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

urged the others to follow me

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

head, the dwarven lady

human, haven't seen one in a

down, she moved towards the

here for

there were other humans

just say that you saw another