The Author's POV

Vrr— Vrr—

"Hmm?"

Waking me from my slumber was a low buzzing sound coming from my right side.

It was quite subtle, reminiscent of a bee's buzz. Needless to say, it was fairly annoying.

Opening my eyes slightly and lowering my head towards the direction of where the buzzing sound was coming from, my sight soon paused on the communication device tightly held in my right hand.

Vrrr— Vrrr—

The buzzing sound continued, and as my mind cleared up, I could feel my hand vibrate slightly.

'How long have I been sleeping for?'

My thoughts felt groggy as I propped my body up with the aid of the wall.

'Since the communication device is working, they should already be done by now…'

Lowering my head and turning the communication device on, I spoke in a thick, hoarse voice.

"Hello? You guys done already-"

—Ren!

The moment I answered the communication device, Waylan's voice sounded from the speaker, cutting me off.

His voice was quite loud and sounded a bit panicked. Instantly, my head sobered up and my brows furrowed tightly. My body tensed slightly.

"What happened while I was gone? Did something go wrong? Did the enemies perhaps have a secret weapon that we were not aware of?"

Many possibilities rushed through my head as my heart sank.

Thinking of all the possible things that may have gone wrong while I was asleep, my previous relaxed attitude completely vanished as I prepared for the worst.

—What are you talking about?

"Huh? What do you mean? Did something go wrong or not?"

But it looked like I was overthinking too much as Waylan's words allayed my fears.

—No, everything is fine. I'm only calling because we were worried that something happened to you. You just left out of nowhere, without even telling us what you were going.

"Ah…"

'Right, the dampening system was back on and I couldn't quite tell them that I was taking a nap.'

Smiling wryly, I scratched the back of my head.

"Sorry about that… I was taking a nap. Since I couldn't participate in the fight, I figured that I may as well just go to a random room and sleep. I was gonna be a burden anyway."

Silence.

Once my words faded, I was met with total silence.

Even though he wasn't present at the moment, I could vividly imagine Waylan opening and closing his mouth, speechless, trying to find the right words to say.

It might have looked amusing to an onlooker, but I was feeling a bit guilty...just a little.

The silence continued for a brief moment before Waylan repeated.

—…A nap? Did you just say…that you were taking a nap?

As though he couldn't

guy that I was, I nodded to confirm my previous

I said.

—Y…you…

the right words to say, Waylan fumbled before eventually giving

for the fact that I don't have the slightest idea of where you

I was just taking a small nap, I don't think that warrants

I give up. Where are you? Send us

give me a

the room with the aid

to stare at the communication device, I asked, "Did you get

moment… Ah, yes, I've

something else from

the side of the wall, I once again slid

anything else, just stay out of

brief pause ensued. After a couple of seconds,

you for your hard work. Had it not been for your help, the war

Not like I did everything myself anyway." I tiredly said,

had only slept for a total of three hours. This was clearly not enough as my mind was still quite

Soon enough, someone should come to pick you up. Once they knock on

replied, my eyes stinging slightly from

see you soon. Great

"Mhm…you too."

before turning off the communication device, and my eyelids slowly came

***

walls of Henolur came to

not many knew what had happened, once Gervis, alongside the others, returned and announced the end of the war, everyone in the city rejoiced as the citizens and warriors

they had stopped attacking and even showed

were filled with dwarves, orcs, and even elves as they

also strengthened the bonds of those who participated in it. They all held each

a particular tavern in Henolur, on a round table, were six hooded figures in

saying that on your way to the dampening system you encountered a

hooded figures spoke up in shock, his body trembling

done with her? Have you told the others about her…? Or, do only you guys know?"

us. That's also where we met her… But her condition seemed quite critical. She looked to be on the

hooded figure asked. His

was S ranked. Her injuries were quite

face. He lifted his face slightly, revealing the features of a young man with pale

his members of Caïssa:

was probably Durara, the one who

of information, Ren's face paled slightly, but he was able to recompose himself

on the table, Ren carefully worded his reply, "She's extremely dangerous. You must be extremely careful around her. In

we're not

as Leopold and

is she?"

taking a small sip of the

Ren's brow raised a little before he leaned

a

Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to

thinking so hard about? You can't

raising his head,

too familiar with the smile, Smallsnake raised his hands and shook

Whatever you're planning, I'm totally

asked, his smile

up with you? What are you

to be more precise, Leopold and Hein, grew confused at Smallsnake's sudden

and pointing it in the direction of Ren's face, Smallsnake raised

of times. Whenever he smiles like that, you should know