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?

incredulity. As though he couldn't

nodded to confirm my previous words,

I said. I took

—Y…you…

find the right words to say, Waylan fumbled before eventually

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

taking a small nap, I don't think

know what? I give up. Where are you? Send

me a

my head and checking the coordinates of the room with the aid of a small device, I

stare at the communication device, I asked,

Ah,

Need something else from

against the side of the wall, I once again slid down and propped

don't need anything else, just stay out of

ensued. After a couple of seconds, in a

thank you for your hard work. Had it not been

everything myself anyway." I tiredly

slept for a total of three hours. This was clearly not enough

now. Soon enough, someone should come to pick

replied, my eyes stinging slightly

see you

"Mhm…you too."

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

***

the raging war that took place on the outer walls of Henolur came to a halt as the demons stopped their assault and

announced the end of the war,

concern was the fact that the demons had still not fully retreated, but they had stopped

filled with dwarves, orcs, and even elves as they happily chatted

that the war, although brought great suffering, had also strengthened the bonds of those who participated in it. They

on a round table, were six

you're saying that on your way to the dampening system you encountered a duergan lady,

figures spoke up in shock, his body trembling

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

another dwarf escort us to the location you sent us. That's also

Duergar's rank?" The hooded figure asked. His

I don't recall wrongly, she was S ranked.

complex frown on his face. He lifted his face slightly, revealing the features of a

of

were talking about was probably Durara, the one

piece of information, Ren's face paled slightly, but he was able

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

we're not that

things, his worries were unnecessary as Leopold and the others gave him confirmation

is she?"

taking a small sip of the ale in front of

up?" Ren's brow raised a little before

his chin, Ren had a thoughtful look on

to what he was thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to ask directly. He

so

his head, a sly smile appearing on his

too familiar with the smile, Smallsnake raised his hands and

it! Whatever

asked,

you? What

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

and pointing it in the

seen it plenty of times. Whenever he smiles like that, you should know that nothing good will come. Trust me, I've