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.

thoughts I was having, standing next to me, the guard patted the side

of the facility are made of Rhimestone, ensuring some solid safety. This way, our researchers can conduct experiments without

"Rhimestone?"

raised my brow in mild

remember, Rhimestone was an incredibly sturdy

was also ridiculously

the wall, the guard nodded in

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

be stupid if they didn't do

responded, trying my best to memorize the

out to be

from the other areas?" I carefully

on his answer, I could probably make up for the

matter of greed. This place could be instrumental

you asking whether the mana fluctuations

"Yea."

got it. In that case, no. Everything in this

the corner of the room, where a lone monitor

there measures the mana 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 will shut the whole place

Do they have a chance to flee? I

before shaking his head. "They'll be sealed inside, and probably die. We don't want to take

guard's eyes as he

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

"...I see."

quite ruthless

order to make sure the threat would not go outside of

what happened to the people

to sacrifice their

would be a pity to lose so many talented

the information was actually quite

had previously envisioned became much more

go to the

me, moving towards the door of

last glance

"Yes."