The Author's POV

341 Taking the initiative [1]

Halting his steps in front of a large metallic door, the guard paused for a moment.

Placing his small blue hand by the side of the door, the metallic structure rumbled and slowly opened up.

Rumble-

Once the door was halfway open, the guard started talking.

"This over here is the artifact testing area. As you're probably aware, this place is dedicated to testing artifacts and their power."

"Oh? I've heard of this place."

Walking into the room, I pretended to be unamused by what I saw.

In truth, I was beyond shocked. With all sorts of complex machinery around the room, duergars could be seen testing all sorts of artifacts.

BANG-

Covered in sophisticated equipment, the duergars tested weird-looking artifacts against some sort of odd machinery. Displayed on the machine was all sorts of data which other duergars looked at by the side, taking notes on their holographic- looking devices.

Some of the artifacts were so powerful that I could sense the mana in the air convering towards it.

Keeping a straight face had never been more difficult for me.

'...I wonder if I can steal them.'

I thought to myself.

Oddly enough, that was the first thing I thought as I looked at the artifacts. I couldn't be blamed though.

Each one of the artifacts present would sell for astronomical prices back in the human domain.

To be honest, the probability of me being able to steal them was low, but a man could dream, right?

'Mhm... Actually, it's not impossible for me to steal them...'

A wild thought suddenly entered my mind.

If everything proceeded as planned, then, perhaps, I may be able to take some of the stuff here.

the thoughts I was having, standing next to me, the guard patted the

facility are made of Rhimestone, ensuring some solid safety. This way, our researchers can conduct experiments without

"Rhimestone?"

raised my brow in

Rhimestone was an incredibly sturdy rock that could withstand

also

the wall, the

worry about the facility if the artifacts ever do malfunction. The walls

stupid if they didn't do

trying my best to

place might turn out to be more useful than

the other

his answer, I could probably make up for the sudden time

of greed. This place could

asking whether the mana fluctuations

"Yea."

case, no. Everything in this place is completely isolated. Take

the corner of the room, where a

density in the room. When the mana density reaches a certain level, it

about the ones stuck inside? Do they have a chance to flee? I assume this must

his head. "They'll be sealed inside, and probably die. We don't want to take

the guard's eyes as he looked at the researchers in front of

system will deactivate as soon as

"...I see."

ruthless

threat would not go outside of the room, they were prepared

I didn't really care about what happened to the people here, I did feel that Inferno

to sacrifice their own, after

to

was actually quite

previously envisioned became much more

go to the next

to me, moving towards the door

last glance at

"Yes."