The Author's POV

"Pftt..."

Walking out of the utility center, I let out a chuckle.

Remembering what had happened in there, I shook my head.

'Who would've thought that he'd go that crazy over an ore?'

The moment I took the Okleum out, Malvil went into a crazy fit and started shouting everywhere. For a moment I was worried that he would directly steal the ore in my hand.

Fortunately, that did not happen. Well, given my height advantage, I managed to stop him from stealing it by just raising my hand.

But it was his over-the-top behavior that made me realize just how precious the ore in my hand was.

Had it not been for his behavior, I would've never been able to tell.

The scene of Malvil jumping up in the air trying to grab the ore was quite comical.

In fact, it was so funny that even now, I was still laughing.

"Hehe."

'At least, I've come closer to my dream of forging my ideal sword.'

Yes.

After calming down, Malvil finally agreed to make a sword for me. Well, sort of.

He didn't explicitly say that he would craft the sword for me, but he did say that he was now more willing to do it as long as I managed to improve my swordsmanship to the point where he would have no qualms giving it to me.

I, of course, agreed to his terms.

"Should've probably showed this before."

'Hmm, but it wouldn't have made that much of a difference.'

Either way, Malvil was not going to make me a sword if I didn't prove that I was worthy of it. Therefore, even if I didn't show him the ore, the requirements would've been the same.

"How is it that the dwarves are so technologically advanced yet can't create a damned elevator."

I inwardly grumbled to myself as I climbed up the stairs of the northern tower. Because the utility center was located all the way down towards the fourth level, the walk up the stairs was actually quite a long one.

If not for my stamina, I would've long passed out of tiredness.

"You guys rested enough?"

Upon finally reaching the middle area of the northern tower, what greeted me was the sight of Ava and the others.

Compared to when I left them, their complexion was much better. Although their clothes and hair were still a mess, it was now an acceptable mess, if that made any sense.

"Oh, Smallsnake, Ryan, good to see you guys too."

Upon spotting Ryan and Smallsnake who I had not seen in a while, I warmly smiled.

"Took you long enough..."

"Ren!"

Ryan excitedly shouted as he ran up to me.

"Ren, Ren, I think I've found a way to help you with the chip in your head."

"Oh?"

My interest instantly piqued.

"You see—"

But before Ryan could speak, Smallsnake spoke over him.

"We know a guy who can help you remove the chip."

"…Smallsnake."

was excited about sharing his findings, was

Smallsnake didn't

out that there are two different types of professions that handle

"Blacksmith and Engineer."

with my arms

two professions that handled

responsible for creating the artifacts, whilst the engineers were in

enough time to help you with the chip, due to

was talking,

he took pleasure in

just been me,

him, a guy called Jomnuk Dramegrip can help with regards to

of times, my eyes

you

name sounded extremely

"Jomnuk Dramegrip?"

"…hah?"

brow raised all the

what I was thinking,

to Bemus, our supervisor,

is truly

then that it finally

I was supposed to protect turned out to be the person that

Talk about coincidences.

"Tell me more."

"Sure."

started to tell me everything he knew regarding Jomnuk. As he spoke, I made sure to not

knew about him, the

*

to Smallsnake recount to me all the information he knew about

I offered him and the others to join me, but I was promptly rejected by everyone who wanted to

to leave them be after pondering

for time, I just

"Is this the place?"

the map that Douglas had given me beforehand, I stopped in front of a large metallic door that

I had long forgotten where I was as I had been going through a maze of tunnels. This was to be expected, though, since

the map I was given would only work for a day before it would

tunnels rearranged themselves every day, and so a new map needed to be

"Should be the place."

I double-checked with the map displayed

saying that I am in the right place, so

hand

Do Dong—!

"Who be it?"

knocking on the door, a cold voice rang out

of the guards assigned to

my dimensional space, I placed

the object on the door, a subtle clicking

Clank—!

revealed behind it was a massive room. The decoration of the place was quite simple. Hanging on the high ceiling of the room was a bright

of the hall, and

hall, there were many different doors that led to different places of the underground mansion. Since this place was where Jomnuk had to live for an extended period of time, it

"This way."

guard that led me directly towards a certain

Clank—!

door, what greeted me was another large room. However, this time the room was not empty as a few individuals could be seen seated on a large

entered the room, all eyes fell on

there was a lot of diversity in the room as not only were there dwarves

Ren, you're

then that Waylan, who was also seated on the

Ren, let me introduce you to

I could say anything, Waylan had already dragged me

I

aura that each individual seated emitted was far stronger than mine. Sitting

his hands together. Then, pointing towards the

here is Jomnuk, the individual that you are supposed to be

turning his attention back to

I decided to bring along. Don't be fooled, though. I didn't bring him here just because he is a human. He has the skills