So I'm a Snake, Who Cares?

Rozena, the strongest dwarf in the underground.

Had she lived on the surface, that epithet would have been "the strongest dwarf above ground."

All dwarves in the Red Anvil Mine agreed on this.

Although she was old enough to be called an elder without raising eyebrows, she was simply referred to as "Lady Rozena."

And for good reason.

Her bulging muscles were more robust than those of young dwarves, and both her beard and hair were fiery red without a trace of gray.

Apart from her muscles, Rozena's trademark was her blood-red hair.

Rozena loved her red hair and beard immensely.

Sometimes she braided it, and usually kept it well-maintained with oil.

When someone asked why she cherished her red hair so much, Rozena replied that she liked how blood wouldn't show on it.

As a master craftsman who had risen to the rank of Meister in jewelry making, she even created special beard ornaments adorned with glittering jewels.

Emeralds, rubies, and the like dangled from her elaborate accessories.

She wore these ornaments even when fighting with an axe, but removed them only when in her workshop.

When hammering.

When crafting.

Only when she needed to pour all her concentration into her work did she forego the accessories.

Clang, clang-

The hammer Rozena held wasn't particularly large.

Even so, it seemed unbelievable that such a hammer would be used for the delicate work of necklace crafting.

Sparks flew wildly on the anvil.

With each strike of the hammer on the red-hot metal, it miraculously took shape.

Normally, this process would require small chisels and files after the metal had cooled.

But that only applies to those who haven't yet reached the level of a master.

With each of Rozena's hammer blows, the pure gold ornament took shape.

It was nothing short of mystical.

When she plunged the heated pure gold ornament into water, it hissed and bubbled.

The finished product was a sun-shaped pendant.

Rozena held up various jewels to the pendant - rubies and sapphires the size of fingernails.

No matter which gem she used, it looked splendid and beautiful.

But Rozena's expression wasn't bright.

"Tsk."

She clicked her tongue boisterously.

She picked up the still-warm piece of pure gold and squeezed it tightly.

Then.

Creak, crunch.

Even though pure gold is soft, it's still a metal that needs to be forged with a hammer.

But it bent and condensed far too easily.

The veins in Rozena's forearm bulged visibly.

When she opened her hand, the pure gold sun ornament was rolled into a ball.

"I don't like it."

She handled the hard metal as if kneading dough.

When she put it in water, it hissed and steam billowed out.

Meister Rozena had been feeling uneasy lately.

She wasn't making progress on her thousandth collection piece, the Sun's Necklace.

"It's not ruby, not sapphire, not emerald. Not even diamond!"

She couldn't decide how to set the jewels for the sun ornament.

What gem would be best to express the clear, bright light of the sun?

Even a diamond wasn't enough to convey the sun's warmth.

But using a red gem like a ruby seemed too vulgar and simplistic.

She needed a gem that was warm, transparent, and full of vitality.

'Perhaps it's been too long since I've seen sunlight.'

The thought left a bitter taste in her mouth.

It had been a long time since the mine lord had locked the gates of the Red Anvil Mine.

Before that, Rozena too had lived under the sun's light.

The experiences from those days still remained in Rozena's heart, serving as inspiration.

Especially the adventure she had with that eccentric elf mage...

And the surface wine she drank with Blue Beard.

"..."

Rozena finally put down her hammer.

The memories of the past had become a delusion holding her back.

The current Blue Beard was no longer the shining young man of the past.

Just as Rozena had aged, so had Blue Beard, and dark flames now flickered in his once-clear eyes.

This life would repeat until a new mine lord was born.

Blue Beard had wanted Rozena to join him in the depths, but she had refused.

That's why she had been focusing solely on her work in this workshop at the entrance to the depths.

Today was another ordinary day.

At least until she received the introduction letter meant for Jeremiah, who had already gone to the depths.

The letter from Helmut contained incomprehensible content.

'A snake...?'

She would have to see it with her own eyes to understand.

So she went out.

And there really was a snake there.

A snake with scales that were the perfect material.

As if sunlight had been crystallized.

"Perfectly beautiful!"

She grabbed its body and shouted, so it was natural for the snake to be startled.

==

It's strong.

What are those hands made of?!

My scales are as sharp as blades, but they don't even scratch the dwarf's calloused hands.

How is this possible?

"It's a basic application of mana."

Apparently, dwarves use mana too.

Even though they're not knights.

──────────────

[Dwarf Meister Rozena lv???]

[Title] Strongest Dwarf Underground

[Traits]

[Artisan], [Warrior]...

──────────────

Wait, why can't I see her level?

Are you a hero too?!

Monsters and 'people' are indeed different.

A monster's strength can be intuitively measured.

Higher-grade monsters, larger monsters are stronger.

But humans, elves, dwarves - their strength can't be measured by appearance alone.

"You're overestimating human heroes."

Pelerian calmly said, as if he wasn't the one fighting.

"That dwarf woman has achievements that wouldn't lose to heroes. She once took down ten wyverns with just a hammer."

That's practically Thor!

Every time I attacked, the dwarf named Rozena blocked with her hands.

"Hahaha! How cute!"

Isn't she afraid of venomous snakes?

Annoyed, I tried to bite her once, but I kept biting thin air.

She wasn't actually attacking me though.

Even when I moved frantically, trying to shed my scales, it was the same.

Well, if she's going to be like this, I have no choice but to draw my sword.

At that moment, Rozena's hand moved at an incredible speed.

"Oh!"

She caught my scales fluttering in the air with her index and middle fingers.

"Pretty, very pretty."

Pabababak!

She moved her hand like lightning and caught four more scales.

"Five, this should be enough."

I was startled.

I lost my will to fight.

Yeah, is there really a need to fight?

How nice it would be to get along.

"Before you go down to the depths, want to come with me for a bit? I'm going to make a necklace with your scales."

A human I met before, Langrey, also coveted my scales.

I guess crystal scales are pretty. Even a dwarf artisan wants them.

'Alright.'

I nodded and followed Rozena.

She really just wanted my scales.

"I'll start by making a simple pendant."

It's my first time watching a dwarf artisan's work process.

Her workshop was right next to the door leading to the depths.

She drew out incredibly thin gold threads to make a chain.

"Her skill is impressive, as always."

Even Pelerian acknowledged Rozena's craftsmanship.

It was instantaneous.

A bracelet was completed.

It was a bracelet made with gold thread, with my scales arranged in a flower shape.

"Oh, ooh, oh..."

She marveled at the craftsmanship of the bracelet she had made.

But didn't she say she was going to make a pendant? Why did she suddenly change to a bracelet?

"It's a decent necklace. With this material, I can complete my collection."

Then she put the bracelet around my neck.

So it was a necklace after all!

"Saak!"

I was surprised and touched.