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 side of the

are made of Rhimestone, ensuring some solid safety. This

"Rhimestone?"

my brow in

remember, Rhimestone was an incredibly sturdy rock that could withstand

was also ridiculously

his finger across the wall, the guard nodded in

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

stupid if they didn't do this

trying my best to memorize the layout of the

place might turn out to be more useful

from the

I could probably

a matter of greed. This place could be

asking whether the mana fluctuations and the like reach outside

"Yea."

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

pointed towards the corner of the room, where a

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

about the ones stuck inside? Do they have a chance to

them?" The 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 want to take any risks. For better or worse,

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

the system will deactivate as soon as it judges that the mana density in the

"...I see."

quite ruthless

threat would not go outside

what happened to the people here, I did

sacrifice their own, after

would be a pity to lose so many

actually

previously envisioned became much

go to the next

to me, moving

glance

"Yes."