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

best to suppress their

"...you guys."

"Hehe."

next to me chuckled and eyed

does yer arse

did it on purpose, didn't

shot a glare at Elluid, who burst out laughing and twirled his bulky hand

me; we're

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

behind me, I followed Elluid

the tunnel, I could see the light coming from

bright light instantly clouded my vision, prompting me

light, staring at the scenery presented before me,

"Woah."

the others, too, had amazed looks on their

the mountain, with small metallic pipes on the top of the hill to allow fresh air and light to seep through to the city below, a vast and

great waterfall dropped through a hole at the top of the mountain, forming

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

as each infrastructure was built to the

as far as I can bring

Elluid proudly looked

around, he slapped my

ta trade successfully, with tha money ye make, bring me ta have a

"...Sure."

as

small, his slap sure

best o'

"Thank you."

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

enough fun?

getting slapped in the ass and

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

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

joyful and cheerful atmosphere shrouded the

grew in the city, making the place look that much

where should

my shoulder

a place to settle

musing for

"Sure."

Smallsnake nodded in agreement.

everyone was itching to go around the city to have a look, at the

better understand the place before deciding

understanding and didn't fuss

is that

also see an

have dwarves roaming the streets as we could see orcs and

Henolur being the place where artifacts were sold and crafted, the

I did have to admit, the elves were a lot better looking than I had expected. Be it male or female; their appearance made me once again realize just how average I was in this world filled

that I was

I

wait for me for

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

had to have some money

the ores I had brought with me, asking the direction of the

"We're here."

[Rusted Hammer Lodgings]

sign hung on

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

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

Pretty neat.

"Let's go in."

a step into the building, I urged the others to follow me

with thick black hair tied into two ponytails, holding onto

we stepped in, turning her head, the dwarven

seen one in a couple

broom down, she

for a

there were other humans

just say that