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?

with incredulity. As though he couldn't quite comprehend what

nodded to confirm

exactly what I said. I

—Y…you…

fumbled before eventually giving up, letting out a long,

the fact that I don't have the slightest idea of where you are, I'd have already strangled you to

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

Send us your

give me

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

my hand to stare at

a moment… Ah, yes,

Need something else from

I once again slid down and propped my hand over my

need anything else, just stay out of

After a couple of seconds,

not been for your help, the war

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

that I had only slept for a total of three hours. This was clearly not enough as my

Soon enough, someone should come to pick you up. Once they knock on the door, open it,

my eyes stinging slightly from the lack

see you

"Mhm…you too."

were the last words I said before turning off the communication device,

***

of Inferno, the raging war that took place on the outer walls of Henolur came to a halt as

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 alike basked in a

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

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

war, although brought great suffering, had also strengthened the bonds of those who participated

of a particular tavern in Henolur, on a round table, were six

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

hooded figures spoke up in

told the others about her…? Or, do only you

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

rank?" The hooded figure asked. His serious tone made

was S ranked.

see…" The hooded figure muttered with a complex frown on his face. He lifted his face slightly, revealing the features of a young man with pale blue eyes resembling the ocean.

seated with his members of Caïssa: Ava, Hein, Leopold, Smallsnake,

talking about was probably Durara, the one

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

reply, "She's extremely dangerous. You must be

worry, we're not

his worries were unnecessary as Leopold and the others gave him confirmation that they had indeed

is she?"

Hein responded, taking a small sip of the ale in front of

a little before he leaned

a thoughtful

thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to ask directly. He had an

you thinking so

what?" Ren asked, raising his head, a sly smile

familiar with the smile, Smallsnake raised his hands and shook

No, I'm against it! Whatever you're planning, I'm

asked,

you? What

to be more precise, Leopold and Hein, grew confused at

the direction of Ren's face, Smallsnake raised

times. Whenever he smiles like that, you should know that nothing