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,

some solid safety. This way, our researchers can conduct experiments without

"Rhimestone?"

my brow in mild

Rhimestone was an incredibly sturdy rock

also ridiculously

finger across the wall, the guard nodded in

is 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

they

trying my best to memorize the layout of the

out to be more

place isolated from the other areas?" I

his answer, I could probably make up for

greed. This place could be instrumental to my

mana fluctuations and the like reach

"Yea."

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

of the room, where a

density reaches a certain level, it will trigger a defensive mechanism

it shuts down, what about the ones stuck inside? Do they have a chance

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

eyes as he looked at the researchers in

deactivate as soon as it judges

"...I see."

ruthless of

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

to the people here, I

ready to sacrifice their own,

would be a pity to lose

was actually quite

I had previously envisioned became much more

we go to the next

me, moving towards the door of the

last glance at the

"Yes."