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.

to me, the guard patted the side of the

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

"Rhimestone?"

brow

remember, Rhimestone was an incredibly sturdy

was also

wall, the guard nodded

of it, we don't have to worry about the facility if the artifacts ever do malfunction. The walls over here can withstand the

stupid if they didn't do

my best to memorize the layout of

turn out to be more

place isolated from the other

on his answer, I could probably make up

longer a matter of greed. This place could be instrumental to my

you asking whether the mana fluctuations and the like reach

"Yea."

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

guard pointed towards the corner of the room,

a certain level, it will trigger

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

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

eyes as he looked at the researchers in front

do end up surviving, the system will deactivate as soon as it judges that the mana density in the

"...I see."

quite ruthless of

make sure the threat would not go outside of the room,

what happened to the people here, I did feel

were ready to sacrifice their own,

be a pity to lose so

actually quite

previously envisioned became much

we go to the next

guard called out to me, moving

last glance at

"Yes."