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.

standing next to me, the

the facility are made of Rhimestone, ensuring some

"Rhimestone?"

my brow

what I remember, Rhimestone was an incredibly sturdy rock that could

was also ridiculously

finger across the wall, the guard nodded

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

if they didn't

trying my best to memorize the

might turn out to be more useful

this place isolated from the other areas?" I

I could probably make

greed. This place could be instrumental to

fluctuations and the like reach

"Yea."

Everything in this place is completely isolated.

corner of the room, where a

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

ones stuck inside? Do they have a chance

We

eyes as he looked at the

the system will deactivate as soon as it judges that the

"...I see."

quite ruthless

the threat would not go outside of the

about what happened to the people here,

sacrifice their own,

would be a pity to

was actually

plan that I had previously

we go to the

me, moving towards

one last glance at the facility,

"Yes."