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.

standing next to me, the guard patted the side of the

some solid safety. This way, our researchers can conduct

"Rhimestone?"

my brow

was an incredibly sturdy rock that could withstand

was also

finger across the wall, the guard

the facility if

be stupid if they didn't do

responded, trying my best to memorize

might turn out to be more

this place isolated from the other areas?" I

answer, I could probably make up for

was no longer a matter of greed. This place

you asking whether the mana fluctuations and the like reach

"Yea."

that case, no. Everything in this place

of

certain level, it will trigger a defensive mechanism and activate the security

what about the ones stuck inside? Do they have a chance

The guard looked at the duergars working on the artifacts in the distance before shaking his head. "They'll be sealed inside, and probably die. We don't want to take any risks. For better or worse, everyone here knows how the system works so they come prepared to die

eyes as he looked at the researchers in front

up surviving, the system will deactivate as soon as it judges that the mana density in the

"...I see."

quite ruthless

outside of the room, they were prepared to have anyone inside

care about what happened to the people here, I did feel that

were ready to sacrifice their own,

a pity to lose so many

information was actually quite useful to

had previously envisioned

go to

called out to me, moving towards the door of the

glance at the facility,

"Yes."