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 findings, was left deflated by Smallsnake's

Smallsnake didn't care

in the logistics center, we found out that there are two different types of professions that

"Blacksmith and Engineer."

with

were two professions that handled artifacts, Blacksmith and

the engineers were in charge of developing the blueprint

to help you with the chip, due to how swamped we are at the moment, we decided to ask

talking, Smallsnake patted Ryan's

he took

could've just been me,

lie in the engineering sector, and according to him, a guy called Jomnuk Dramegrip can help

of times, my eyes

you

name sounded extremely

"Jomnuk Dramegrip?"

"…hah?"

brow raised all the

I was thinking, Smallsnake nodded his

supervisor,

is

then that

was supposed to protect turned out to be the person that could help me solve

Talk about coincidences.

"Tell me more."

"Sure."

Smallsnake started to tell me everything he knew regarding Jomnuk. As

more I knew about

*

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

promptly rejected by everyone who wanted to remain on the frontline. The reasoning behind this was because they

be after

was pressed for time, I just bid them a

"Is this the place?"

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

going through a maze of

told me, the map I was given would only work for a day before it would no

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

"Should be the place."

double-checked with the map displayed

am in the right place, so

forward, I raised my hand and knocked on the

Do Dong—!

"Who be it?"

knocking on the door, a cold voice rang out from the

one of the guards assigned to

my dimensional space, I

object on the door, a

Clank—!

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

hall, and a soft red carpet rested

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

"This way."

place was a dwarven guard that led me directly towards a certain room of the underground

Clank—!

the room was not empty as a few individuals could be seen

I entered the room,

room as not only were there dwarves

you're finally

who was also seated on the red

Ren, let me

say anything, Waylan had already dragged

my place, I decided to

individual seated emitted was far

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

from the pictures, this here is Jomnuk,

attention back to Jomnuk, Waylan

this over here is 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