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

ensuring some solid safety. This way, our researchers can conduct

"Rhimestone?"

brow in

remember, Rhimestone was an incredibly sturdy rock that could withstand

was also

finger across the wall,

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

they didn't do

my best to

might turn out to be more

the other

I could probably make up for the

of greed. This place could be instrumental to my

asking whether the mana fluctuations and the

"Yea."

this place

of the room, where a lone monitor

a certain level, it will trigger

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 take any risks. For better or

flashed across the guard's eyes as he looked at the

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

"...I see."

ruthless

order to make sure the threat would not go outside of the

really care about what happened to the people here,

to sacrifice their own,

would be a pity to lose so

the information was actually quite useful to

previously

to the next

guard called out to me, moving towards the door

glance

"Yes."