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

facility are made of Rhimestone, ensuring some solid safety. This way,

"Rhimestone?"

my brow in mild

an incredibly

was also

wall, the

made of Rhimestone. Because of it, we don't have to worry about the facility if the artifacts ever do malfunction. The walls over here can withstand the

if they didn't

responded, trying my best to memorize the layout

turn out to be more

from the other areas?" I

I could probably make up for

no longer a matter of greed. This

Are you asking whether the mana fluctuations and the like reach outside of this

"Yea."

In that case, no. Everything in this place

of the room, where

certain level, it will trigger a defensive mechanism and

shuts down, what about the ones stuck inside? Do they have a chance to flee? I assume

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

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

they do end up surviving, the system will deactivate as soon as it judges that the

"...I see."

ruthless

order to make sure the threat would not go outside of the room, they were prepared to have

the people here, I

sacrifice their own, after

a pity to lose so

the information was actually quite useful to

had previously envisioned

go to the next

out to me, moving towards

last glance at

"Yes."