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.

to me, the guard patted the side

ensuring some solid safety.

"Rhimestone?"

my brow in

remember, Rhimestone was an incredibly sturdy rock that could withstand

was also ridiculously

finger across the wall, the guard nodded

This whole place 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 full-blown attack of an ranked

if they didn't do this

trying my best to memorize the

place might turn out to be more useful than

isolated from the other

could probably make up for the sudden

matter of greed. This

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

"Yea."

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

guard pointed towards the corner of the room, where a

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

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

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

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

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

"...I see."

ruthless of

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

the people here, I did feel

to sacrifice their

pity to lose

was actually quite useful to

plan that I had previously

we go to

me, moving towards the door

one last glance at the facility,

"Yes."