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

are made of Rhimestone, ensuring some solid safety. This way, our researchers can conduct

"Rhimestone?"

my brow

was an incredibly sturdy rock

was also

finger across the wall,

facility if the artifacts ever do malfunction. The walls over here can withstand the full-blown

stupid if they didn't

my best to memorize the

turn out to be more useful than I

isolated from the other

probably make

of greed. This place

mana fluctuations and the like

"Yea."

it. In that case, no. Everything in this

towards the corner of the

density in the room. When the mana density reaches a certain level, it will trigger a defensive mechanism and activate the

Do they have a chance to flee? I assume this must happen in a matter of

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 at any

as he looked at the researchers in front

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

"...I see."

quite ruthless

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

about what happened to the people here, I did

to sacrifice their own,

would be a pity to lose

the information was actually quite useful

previously envisioned became much more

go to the

called out to me, moving towards the door of

one last glance at the

"Yes."