Somewhat embarrassed by what I said, I turned around.
"Welp, I'm gonna go find Thungrid. I need to get to the mines." [Solace]
I started to walk, until I felt something clinging to my leg.
"Don't go!" [Oled]
Oled clung to my leg, desperation written on his face.
"What the-?! Get off me!" [Solace]
"Nooo! I need ya!" [Oled]
I tried shaking him off, but Oled's grip strength was something else.
"Please!" [Oled]
"No! I have something else to do!" [Solace]
"Then let me help ya! Just let me tag along then!" [Oled]
I stopped struggling.
"What's in it for you?" [Solace]
"Huh?" [Oled]
He looked up at me with a surprised look as if he never expected me to listen to him. He then let go of my leg and stood up while dusting himself off.
"Ahem… So, I believe that ya could use my help navigating the mines." [Oled]
"What if I ask Thungrid?" [Solace]
Oled scoffed.
"That 'ol brick isn't gonna do squat. He's lazier than a couple o' Bahls." [Oled]
"Bahls?" [Solace]
"Response: A slothful monster whose diet is composed of plants. It lies underground for most of the day, and only comes out when it's hungry. Its diet mainly consists of herbs and berries." [Spirit Guide]
To be honest, speaking with dwarves was a whole different experience. It felt like I was in the boonies.
"I think I can navigate the mines on my own." [Solace]
"Okay, but what about combat! You saw how strong I was!" [Oled]
I thought about it, but then again I wouldn't know what would happen if my gauntlets acted up again.
"I can handle myself pretty well." [Solace]
"How about equipment?! I have any kind of armor you could ever need!" [Oled]
That offer was somewhat enticing. However, |Gentleman's Favor| had already brought my body to a level where it would be difficult to hurt me even if you had a sword.
"Pass. Most weapons won't hurt me anyway." [Solace]
"Fine… You leave me no choice…" [Oled]
The dwarf closed his eyes and gritted his teeth.
"The only thing I have left to offer is my body…!" [Oled]
It was then that he started taking off his shirt.
"Yeah, no. I don't swing that way." [Solace]
Oled dropped to his knees in defeat.
"Impossible… Am I not enticing enough…?" [Oled]
Looking at how pitiful he was, I felt a pang of guilt.
("Maybe just for a little bit?") [Solace]
I sighed.
"Fine. You can come." [Solace]
Oled's eyes lit up.
"So you do desire my body!" [Oled]
"Hell no! I just need you to navigate through the mines!" [Solace]
"O-Oh… Then allow me to prepare my equipment." [Oled]
Heading back into his workshop, Oled returned in a full set of armor.
"...You seem a bit over equipped." [Solace]
Oled donned armor about an inch thick. There were almost no gaps to target the joints, and there were spikes at certain angles to make it cover certain angles of approach. Not only that, he brought out an incredibly large hammer whose handle seemed to be a meter long and at least three inches thick.
"I've heard that a few prisoners broke out of the Robar prison recently. Those folks are pretty strong, so it's best to be prepared." [Oled]
"...Cool. Now can you lead me to the mines?" [Solace]
"Of course!" [Oled]
I followed a very spirited Oled through the city, until we arrived at a large mountain that appeared to reach the sky.
"Here we are." [Oled]
We stood before a large cave. It had wooden pillars going through it, which somewhat reminded me of the design of mine shafts from Minecroft.
"Hey, it's Oled! What're ya doin' here?" [Dwarf Guard]
A well equipped dwarf came out of the cave, looking at us with a startled face.
"Nothing much. Just showin' our human friend around." [Oled]
"Human friend?" [Dwarf Guard]
"Hi." [Solace]
The dwarven guard looked me up and down, then proceeded to point at me with a face of realization.
"Yer the one who beat Thungrid!" [Dwarf Guard]
"Yeah…" [Solace]
"Then come on in! No dwarf will ever turn down a request from you!" [Dwarf Guard]
The dwarven guard allowed me and Oled to pass through.
"Have fun!" [Dwarf Guard]
"Uh… Sure…" [Solace]
He waved at us as we went deeper into the mines.
("Are all dwarves extroverts? Dwarven culture weirds me out…" [Solace]