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 their mouth's with

trying their best to suppress their

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

who was next to me chuckled and eyed me with a teasing

does yer arse

bastard did it on purpose, didn't

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

me; we're almost

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

behind me, I followed

the ending of the tunnel,

a bright light instantly clouded

my eyes adjusted to the light, staring at the scenery presented before me, I was left

"Woah."

as the others, too, had amazed looks on

of the hill to allow fresh air and light

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

ranged in sizes. However, though they were all different, the infrastructures brought me this strange sense of

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

as far as I can bring

his steps. Elluid proudly looked at the

he slapped my thigh and

money ye

"...Sure."

replied as I massaged my

small, his slap sure packed

o'

"Thank you."

at Elluid's figure disappear back into the tunnel, I let out a sigh before looking

fun? Let's

and thigh really that funny?

moment we set foot

place, I could hear the raucous laugh of the

joyful and cheerful atmosphere shrouded the

the city,

should

tapped on my shoulder and

a place to settle

replied after musing for a

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

itching to go around the city to have a look, at the moment, the

understand

and didn't fuss

that an

also see

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

with Henolur being the place where artifacts were sold and crafted, the fact that other races came here wasn't

lot better looking than I had expected. Be it male or female;

that I was

worse, I had only myself

wait for me for a

couple of important places and directly sold some of the ores I had brought

have

direction of the nearest lodging, we soon arrived in front of

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

hung on the wall of

surprise, it was written in human language; it was only after a while

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

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

a step into the building, I urged the others

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

stepped in, turning her head, the dwarven lady exclaimed

haven't seen one in a couple

the broom down, she moved towards the

here for

that there

that you saw another