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?

voice was filled with incredulity. As though he couldn't quite

was, I nodded to confirm my

what I

—Y…you…

words to say, Waylan fumbled before eventually

not for the fact that I don't

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

Where are you? Send us your coordinates,

me

of the room with the aid of a small device, I quickly sent Waylan

to stare at the communication

moment… Ah, yes, I've

something else

side of the wall, I once again slid down

need anything else, just

couple of seconds, in a

your hard work. Had it not been for your help, the war would've never

I did everything myself anyway." I tiredly

had only slept for a total of three hours.

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

stinging slightly

see you soon.

"Mhm…you too."

turning off the communication device, and my eyelids slowly came to a

***

of Inferno, the raging war that took place on the outer walls of Henolur

others, returned and announced the end of the war, everyone in the city rejoiced as the citizens

the demons had still not fully retreated, but they had stopped attacking and even showed signs of giving

orcs, and even elves as

strengthened the bonds

tavern in Henolur, on a round

dampening system you encountered a duergan lady, and she's

the hooded figures spoke up in shock, his

others about her…? Or, do only you guys know?" The hooded figure

the only ones present back then since we had another dwarf escort us to the location you sent us. That's also where we met her… But her condition seemed quite critical. She looked to be on the

His serious tone made the atmosphere

don't recall wrongly, she was S ranked. Her injuries

lifted his face slightly,

was currently seated with his members of Caïssa: Ava, Hein, Leopold,

they were talking about was

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

worded his reply, "She's extremely dangerous. You must be extremely careful around her. In fact, have you even

worry, we're not that

the looks of things, his worries were unnecessary as Leopold and the others

she?" Ren

taking a small sip of the ale in

a little before he leaned back on

his chin, Ren had a thoughtful look

to what he was thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth,

are you thinking so hard about? You

be what?" Ren asked, raising his head, a

familiar with the smile, Smallsnake raised his hands and shook

I'm against it! Whatever you're planning,

wrong, Smallsnake?" Ren asked, his smile only

up with you? What are you

be more precise, Leopold and Hein,

it in the direction

see that smirk over there? No? Well, I've seen it plenty of times. Whenever he smiles like that, you should know that nothing good will