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.

next to me, the guard patted

of the facility are made of Rhimestone, ensuring some solid safety. This way, our researchers

"Rhimestone?"

raised my brow

remember, Rhimestone was an incredibly sturdy rock that could

was also ridiculously

across the wall, the

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

be stupid if they

to memorize

place might turn out to be more useful than

from the

answer, I could probably make up

was no longer a matter of greed. This place could be instrumental

fluctuations and the like

"Yea."

case, no. Everything in this place is

of the room, where a

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

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

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

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

the system will deactivate as soon

"...I see."

ruthless

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

the people here,

sacrifice their

pity to lose so many talented

the information was actually quite useful

had previously envisioned became much

we go to the

moving towards the door

last glance at

"Yes."