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."

around, much to my depression, I found the others holding

their best to suppress

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

was next to me chuckled and

there, does yer arse

it on purpose,

out laughing and twirled his bulky hand in the air, nudging me to follow

follow me; we're almost

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

the others behind me, I followed Elluid deeper into the

of the tunnel, I could see

tunnel, a bright light instantly

to the light, staring at the

"Woah."

had

air and light to seep

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

ranged in sizes. However, though they were all different, the

looked like structural masterpieces as each infrastructure was

as far as

Elluid proudly looked at the city

slapped my thigh and

ta trade successfully, with tha money ye make,

"...Sure."

replied as I

his slap

best o'

"Thank you."

the tunnel, I let out

fun?

in the ass and thigh really that funny? I

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

place, I could hear the raucous laugh

and cheerful

trees grew in the city, making the place look that

where should

on my shoulder and

let's go find a place to settle down for

replied after musing for

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

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

needed to better understand the place before

the others were understanding and didn't fuss

is that an

see an

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

place where artifacts were

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

I

make matters worse, I had

me

of important

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]

metallic sign hung on

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

an artifact that would automatically display the

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

step into the building, I urged the others

a dwarven lady with thick black hair tied

stepped in, turning her head, the dwarven lady exclaimed in

human, haven't seen one in

the broom down, she moved towards the

for

say that there were other humans in

say that you saw