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."

depression, I found the others holding onto their

trying their best to suppress their

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

chuckled and

there, does yer arse

bastard did it on

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

follow me;

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

others behind me, I followed Elluid deeper into the

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

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

at the scenery presented before me,

"Woah."

had amazed looks on their faces as they looked at the

the hill to allow fresh air

the city, a great waterfall dropped through a hole at the top of the mountain, forming into a pool in the central square

statue, were many uniquely shaped infrastructures that ranged in sizes. However, though they were all different, the infrastructures brought

infrastructure was built to the

as far as I can

proudly looked at the city from

turning around, he slapped my

money ye make, bring me ta have

"...Sure."

replied as I

his slap sure packed

o'

"Thank you."

figure disappear back into the tunnel, I let out

fun? Let's

getting slapped in the ass and thigh really

set foot into the city, it was as though we stepped foot into

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

joyful and cheerful atmosphere

trees grew in the city,

where should

on my shoulder

let's go find a place to settle down

musing for

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

around the city to have a look, at the moment, the priority was to

to better understand the place before

were understanding and didn't fuss over

that an

see an

note, much to everyone's surprise, Henolur did not only have dwarves roaming

being the place where artifacts were sold and crafted, the

were a lot better looking than I had expected. Be it male or female; their appearance made me once again

I

matters worse, I had only myself

wait for me

couple of important places

have some money after

me, asking the direction

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

sign hung on the wall

my surprise, it was written in human language; it was only after a while that I realized that it was actually

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

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

the building, I urged the

saw a dwarven lady with thick black

her head, the dwarven lady exclaimed

haven't seen one in

the broom down, she moved towards

for a

there

that you