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."

to my depression, I found the others holding onto their mouth's

best to

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

me chuckled and eyed

does

bastard did it on

laughing and

me; we're

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

me, I followed Elluid deeper into

ending of the tunnel, I could

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

adjusted to the light, staring at the scenery presented before

"Woah."

way as the others, too, had amazed looks on

on the top of the hill to allow fresh air and light to

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

shaped infrastructures that ranged in sizes. However, though they were all

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

be as far as I can

looked at the city

slapped

trade successfully, with tha money ye

"...Sure."

as

his slap sure

best o' luck,

"Thank you."

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

fun? Let's

and thigh

of stones steps, we soon stepped into the city. The moment we set foot into the city, it was as though we stepped foot into a whole different

place, I could hear

overall joyful and cheerful

grass and trees grew in the city, making the place

should

on my

a place to settle

replied after musing for

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

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

better understand the place before deciding

the others were understanding and didn't

is that an

also see

dwarves roaming the streets as we could see orcs and elves roaming the

this beforehand; with Henolur being the place where artifacts were sold and crafted, the fact that other races

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

that I

make matters worse, I had

wait for me

I stopped by a couple of important places and

had to have

the ores I had brought with me, asking the direction of the nearest lodging, we soon arrived in front of a certain

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

sign hung on the wall of the

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

display the words based on the language the viewer could

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

step into the building, I urged the others to follow

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

her head, the

a human, haven't seen one

the broom down, she moved towards

here for

just say that there were other

say that you saw another