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."

sharing his

Smallsnake didn't care

center, we found out

"Blacksmith and Engineer."

calmly said with

like Smallsnake said, there were two professions that handled artifacts,

artifacts, whilst the engineers were in charge of developing the blueprint and designs of the

time to help you with the chip, due to how

talking, Smallsnake

he took pleasure in teasing

just been me,

engineering sector, and according to him, a guy called Jomnuk Dramegrip can help with regards

times, my

did you say his name

name sounded extremely

"Jomnuk Dramegrip?"

"…hah?"

raised all the

I was thinking,

Bemus, our supervisor, he's the

world is truly

that it

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

Talk about coincidences.

"Tell me more."

"Sure."

he knew regarding Jomnuk. As he spoke, I made sure to not

more I knew about

*

two hours, I listened to Smallsnake recount to me all the information he knew about Jomnuk.

to join me, but I was promptly rejected by everyone who wanted to remain on the frontline. The

follow me, I decided to leave them be after pondering for a bit. In fact, this may have been

pressed for time, I just bid them a

"Is this the place?"

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

through a maze of tunnels. This was to be expected, though,

told me, the map I was given would

every day, and so a new map needed to

"Should be the place."

my head, I double-checked with the map

I am in the right

hand and knocked

Do Dong—!

"Who be it?"

door, a cold voice rang out

the guards assigned to

my dimensional space, I placed

object on the door, a subtle clicking sound rang out, and

Clank—!

the place was quite simple.

the side of the hall, and a soft red carpet rested on

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 was understandable for him to have a large place to

"This way."

the entrance of the place was a dwarven guard that

Clank—!

the 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 red

entered the room, all eyes fell on

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

Ren, you're

then that Waylan, who was also seated on

let me introduce you to

had already

place, I decided to

was far stronger than mine. Sitting down might displease

as he sat down and clasped his hands together. Then, pointing towards the dwarf seated in

seen home from the pictures, this here is Jomnuk, the individual that you are supposed to

back to Jomnuk,

Ren. A fellow human whom 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 to stay