The Author's POV

Click! Clank—

Upon entering the hideout, I was immediately greeted by a solemn atmosphere.

"Waylan, yer finally here."

Once Waylan entered, Jomnuk, sitting with his arms crossed in the middle of the living room, sighed in relief.

Sitting down on the seat opposite to Jomnuk, Waylan inquired, his tone serious. An unprecedented feeling of grim concern clouded his face.

"What's the situation here?"

"According to reports from the spies, the enemies are preparing to attack by tonight."

Answering Waylan, in Jomnuk's stead, was a dwarf. He had thick eyebrows and long, flowing black hair. Most striking were his thick arms that looked to be the size of a small football. It gave off the impression of breaking rocks by merely flexing them. Fitting, for a race of miners.

"Tonight?"

Waylan's brows furrowed in thought.

Subtly turning his head to face me, I faintly nodded back.

Upon seeing me nod, Waylan's tense shoulders relaxed a little.

Because everyone was currently focused on the situation our little exchange went unnoticed.

'To think they've already found this hideout in a month's time. As expected, there must be a spy hiding amongst the upper echelon. We have a traitor in our midst.'

It was normal for both sides to have spies planted.

Unlike the Union and the Monolith, where the power balance leaned more on the Monolith's side, the difference in strength between the dwarves and the Duergars was just about the same.

This meant that both sides had to resort to more discreet means to weaken the other. For example, planting agents in the upper echelon of each organization.

A classic tactic in warfare, there was never a conflict where spies or intelligence-gathering divisions were not put to use. Methods of subterfuge often laid waste to enemy armies, as it is often said, 'know thy enemy, and thou shalt win a hundred battles.'

However, the nature of conflict here brought about a certain issue. In order to be a spy for the other organization, one must show that they have mana tainted with demonic energy. Unlike the Union that could not replicate this, the dwarves were capable of doing it.

That just proved how advanced the dwarven species was.

"Alright, although I didn't expect them to find this place so early, now that the situation has escalated to that point, we must get ready."

Standing up, Waylan looked at the others and started to issue orders.

"Everyone, do as trained. Guard each perimeter of the place, and make sure to check all the ventilations and food for any poison or gas. We all know just how sneaky those bastards can be."

"Understood."

Everyone nodded their head in agreement.

Since Waylan was the strongest by a large margin, no one had any qualms with his arrangements.

Not even Jomnuk, who instead seemed rather pleased with the new directives.

Whilst everyone was busy organizing themselves, walking up to Jomnuk, I tapped him on the shoulder.

"Sir Jomnuk, I would like to have a word with you in private."

Raising his brow, Jomnuk tilted his head to the side.

"Human? What is it?"

Fidgeting my fingers, I replied in a quiet tone, "Well, you see…I'd ideally prefer to discuss this in private rather than in the open."

"Why?"

Wariness flashed in Jomnuk's eyes.

Looking around the room, towards the other guard in his post, Jomnuk stared back at me.

"If you have anything to say to me, say it here."

Scratching the side of my neck, I smiled wryly.

"…Well, you see, I can't really say it out here since it's something I can only ask you in a more comfortable setting."

The matter regarding the chip in my head was a sensitive topic.

The fewer people that knew, the better.

Unfortunately for me, my vague words were irritating Jomnuk. He started to raise his voice.

"What is it? Spit it out already."

Glancing around the room, I lowered my voice slightly.

to have it looked at. I've heard that you are one of the best engineers

the words, 'one of the best engineers', a flattering look

no need to exaggerate

not exaggerating. I have to give credit where

really was serious

Ryan said, Jomnuk was indeed one

empty acts of

in your head?" Jomnuk asked, his tone sounding a lot

why I wanted to ask you for

"Might as well."

guards present in the room

heard, I need to help him with something. If possible, I'd

"That's not possible."

standing guard immediately

"Oh? Why is that?"

Jomnuk's face sank.

the dwarf replied with a straight

sorry sir, but since your life could in danger,

words, they weren't willing

is there to worry about? Since you guys are waiting outside, there is

"But—"

cut him off and pointed

you're talking about him being a threat, scratch that thought. I've got enough artifacts on me to protect myself from a

'Mere rank...'

a lot more than

so questioning

"…Understood."

refute any longer, the dwarf

to face me, the dwarf

you guys

enough, thank

I replied back.

nodded in satisfaction before sitting back down on

be leaving

watching the whole thing from the sidelines, also stood up and

then put his

will make a move. It's best if you end the conversation

"I got it."

"Alright then."

Waylan left with the

Click! Clank—

closed and the room was

first to speak

"So…"

and a smug look

"How was my acting?"

my head, the edges of my

"Oscar-worthy."

***

time

he looked back

worry, nothing will happen with

with a

his words did not ease

Waylan, the dwarf said, "Human, I don't doubt your abilities, but you just don't know how vile those malevolent

I've not faced many of them yet, but that doesn't mean I don't

getting this mission assigned, Waylan spent

to what types of

to blindly protect

and I can guarantee you that as of right now, no one will be

a thin glow enveloped

at the dwarf, Waylan flashed a slight,

the whole room with my mana. Unless someone kills me, no one

"I see…"

seen this much, the dwarf

he had to admit

Click! Clank—

on cue, the door opened. Coming out from it were

arms behind his back, and a pleased

faces of everyone present, Jomnuk

I'm totally fine. The human did nothing

"Please wait, sir."

path was the

dwarf blocked Jomnuk's path, his face scrunched

are

for my rudeness

named Angus took a small