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.

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

made of Rhimestone, ensuring some solid

"Rhimestone?"

raised my brow

incredibly sturdy rock that could withstand

also

across the wall, the guard nodded

don't have to worry about the facility if the artifacts ever do malfunction. The walls over here can withstand the full-blown attack of an

stupid if they didn't do this

my best to

to be

the other

answer, I could probably make up

a matter of greed. This place could be instrumental to

asking whether the mana fluctuations and the like reach outside of

"Yea."

got it. In that case, no. Everything in this place is completely isolated. Take

corner of the

the room. When the mana density reaches a certain level, it will trigger a defensive mechanism and activate the

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

on the artifacts in the distance before shaking his head. "They'll be sealed inside, and probably die. We don't want to

the guard's eyes as he looked at the

as soon as it judges that the mana density in the room is

"...I see."

quite ruthless

not go outside of the room, they were prepared to have anyone

really care about what happened to the people here, I did feel that Inferno had taken some

to sacrifice

to lose so many talented

information was actually

previously envisioned became much more

to the next

me, moving towards the door of the

glance at

"Yes."