Chapter 2158: Eastern Dwarves’ Abode

Anyway, the dwarves of the granite mountain had their own work to do. For the eastern dwarves, they worked more like an assembly line rather than individual engineers.

They had been taught this way since they moved here, and it was indeed the best way to systematically create what they repeatedly needed to do.

There were those in charge of arrays, there were those in charge of crafting, there were those in charge of making specific components, and so on.

For the most part, a dwarf would spend their lives doing one job or doing something similar or in line with this. Anyway, there were a few tools that needed to be perpetually created and maintained, so moving across tools was a way to break the monotony.

For example, the high-quality bombs were the most time- and labor-consuming of all the tools they produced. The granite mountain was not weak, especially since it was infused with aether, so what could give a decent amount of damage was naturally not weak.

Dwarven bombs were based on arrays and aether, creating friction and pressure so it would release an explosive and destructive force. This had to use a lot of complex arrays, most of which would dissipate upon activation. Some were also designed to detain other arrays, and a wrong move could cause an explosion.

Fortunately, accidents were rare because they were extra careful, but it also meant the progress was especially slow. Many dwarves were assigned here so the production was continuous.

There was also the trebuchet and the concentrated beams. The trebuchet wasn’t difficult, as the projectile was just the bomb. It was the concentrated beam gun, which they used to remotely kill monsters outside so they could eat them, that was time-consuming to make and maintain.

Another perpetual tool was the beast sonar. It was something that had to be replenished every month. Even if it wasn’t activated, it would ’expire’ and lose efficacy. It was because the specific array used here depended on surrounding aether, and in turn the surrounding aether could passively consume it as well, even if unused.

Finally, there was the motion core, which was what powered their carts along the premade rails. The same was also used in the elevators and big tools that required automated movements.

This was something they had to recharge with various energy arrays every day because they were so energy-consuming, though most dwarves would take turns doing this task and a different dwarf would do it every day. This was the most physically demanding job for dwarves because they had to be everywhere.

Considering they were not easy to do and the dwarves were precise in their jobs, but also not very fast, this assembly line was the most efficient way to work.

The dwarves not only gained mastery over a specific section, but it was easier to pinpoint places to change and improve on.

Fortunately, though the job was repetitive, the dwarves were used to it and never questioned it. They didn’t work so fast anyway, so they noticed the tedium far less than a human would doing the same thing.

All dwarves who had come of age worked very hard and would take breaks when they remembered it. It was why they always ate at the large communal plaza not far from the entrance. One was to maximize their social time, and another was to remind each other to eat.

There had once been a dwarf so obsessed that he fainted from hunger during a work seclusion. He never woke up again.

Whenever they did eat, Dwarves ate a lot each time, and their bodies stored a lot of food. It was how they could go on for days without sustenance. Their bodies weren’t very big in the first place.

While eating, they would chat and discuss things. It was mostly about their projects. After all, how much could they talk about in this isolated setting? Whatever gossip there was, everyone had heard of it a hundred times already.

Unexpectedly, there really were new topics today. "I wonder if that human is dead," one of the young dwarves named Hisi asked his friend Chisi at the side.

Chisi knew who he was talking about. The alarm worked for the first time in years, though the people who triggered it disappeared with the mob soon after.

Like any other case, they expected no survivors. They just shot a few of the monsters who were attracted, and were then pulled back to serve as sustenance to their tribe.

Who knew that one of them came back and was alive? He could freeze water, too, which was one of the legendary powers in humans. That was what they watched for a long time.

They even knew the spots he hid in and watched how he handled specific monsters. Interestingly, the latter brought inspiration to some. For example, where to shoot.

This eventually led to an improvement in the concentrated beam weapon, which excited them a lot. Since the dwarves were constrained with a few jobs so most hadn’t done anything new

"Wanna peek in the crystal tonight? Who knows, maybe we’d find something interesting."

"We watched yesterday, and there was nothing. I just got in trouble with my delays."

"Same."

Another one of the dwarves who watched the crystal that day was Chosie.

"They probably are dead. The monster mobs around us are so troublesome we are usually hidden away, let alone those out in the open—"

"Well, sorry to disappoint," a new voice sounded from the side.

They realized it was unfamiliar, and the small dwarves mechanically turned their heads to the woman who was much taller than they were.

!!!!

...

Since they managed to go all the way here without triggering the alarms, they went all out and snuck in as quietly as they could.

It so happened that Althea’s improved Woodland Camouflage could be used. No, it was no longer limited to forest and trees, and could be used with rocks too.

Anyway, her ability worked wonders, and they managed to sneak in to study the place. As for whether they were completely invisible, they were not, but their presence was low enough.

Rather, it was an ability that signals to the brain to ignore them. Of course, this just covered her for the most part. She could now expand the area, but she could only comfortably cover her Garan for now. The rest were hiding elsewhere at this time.

As for why she chose to reveal herself at this moment, it was because they were speaking about Garan, which meant they were at least familiar. Her camouflage skill was about to expire, too, so it was best to choose the timing.

The dwarves soon came to their senses. She belatedly realized this situation was because of her.

"W-What!!"

"We’re being attacked!!"

"AHHHH!"

Weapons were immediately pointed at them.

Dwarves were very, very guarded against the humans, so showing up in the midst of their home, where their children and old people roamed, was naturally seen as aggression.

Interestingly, some of the weapons were familiar to them. They were similar to the short-lived gun thing Cotto and the others brought in back when they were first encountered in the Old Shrao Village.

It was something for study in Alterra, though they were still trying to figure out how to make it last longer. Currently, the guns only had a limited number of shots. After that, the tool’s interior would’ve already burned and was no longer usable.

It was also not strong enough to kill a high-level beast. This one seemed bigger and somewhat deadlier, though they were not sure what the differences were.

"We come in peace..." she said, looking at the weapons pointed at them. "I saw a suspicious surface and ended up deciphering it."

She looked at the dwarves speaking before. "We got into an accident here, and we wanted to see what it was about. It’s just pure curiosity."

"Oh, it’s you!"

"Oh, right! No wonder you were familiar!"

"So the female was still alive!" They then turned to Garan. "Him, too!"

It was here that one of the dwarves snapped out of it and looked at Althea in disbelief.

"You...what do you mean by deciphered?"

"You opened the wall yourself?"

"Yes," she said. "I am actually an array master. I also admire dwarves very much, and I am open to discussion."

Hearing this, more and more dwarves went nearer to her. The expression of wariness and fear turned to apprehension mixed with interest.

Althea smiled, not minding the complex emotions. All she cared for was that they were willing to have a long-term discussion with her. This was one of the reasons why she revealed herself—she wanted to talk.

She looked around. She admired and was wary of what she saw. She had overheard their conversation earlier regarding a mission.

Although she did not know the details, there was a high chance that the goal of this mission was not very good.

And, if needed, she would have to handle it.