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 red

best to suppress their

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

who was next to me chuckled and eyed me with a

there, does yer

bastard did it

laughing and twirled his bulky hand

me;

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

others behind me, I followed Elluid deeper

the tunnel, I could see the

bright light instantly

the scenery presented before me, I

"Woah."

the only one that felt that way as the others, too, had amazed looks on their faces as they

small metallic pipes on the top of the hill to allow fresh air and light to seep through to

through a hole at the top of the

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

like structural masterpieces as each infrastructure was built to the most delicate

as far as I can bring

Elluid proudly looked at the

turning around, he slapped my

ta trade successfully, with tha money ye

"...Sure."

replied as

he was small, his slap sure

o' luck,

"Thank you."

tunnel, I let out a sigh before looking

fun?

the ass and thigh really

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

illuminating the place, I could hear the

overall joyful and cheerful atmosphere shrouded the

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

should we

tapped on my shoulder

place to

after musing for a

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

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

better understand the place

the others were understanding and

that an

see an

to everyone's surprise, Henolur did not only have dwarves roaming the streets as we

were sold and crafted, the

or female; their appearance made me once again realize just

I

worse, I

wait for me for

by a couple of important places and directly sold some of the ores

had to have some money after

with me, asking the direction of

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

sizeable metallic sign hung on

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

fact an artifact that would automatically display the words based on

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

into the building, I urged the others to

dwarven lady with thick black hair tied into two ponytails,

stepped in, turning her head, the dwarven

one in

the broom down, she moved towards

for a

just say that there were other humans

just say that you saw another