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.

I was having, standing next to me, the guard patted the side of the

are made of Rhimestone, ensuring some solid safety.

"Rhimestone?"

my brow in mild

incredibly

also

his finger across the wall, the guard nodded

of it, we don't have to worry about the facility if the artifacts ever do malfunction. The walls over

they didn't

my best to memorize the

might turn out to be more useful than

from the

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

longer a matter of greed. This place could

mana fluctuations and the like reach

"Yea."

that case, no. Everything in this place is completely isolated. Take a look over

the corner of the room, where a lone monitor

a certain level, it will trigger

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

We don't want to take

eyes as he looked at

as soon as it judges

"...I see."

ruthless

outside

happened to the people

to sacrifice their

would be a pity to lose so many

information was actually quite useful

plan that I had previously envisioned became much

we go to the next

guard called out to me, moving

glance at the facility,

"Yes."