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

I said. I

—Y…you…

to say, Waylan fumbled before eventually giving

do with you? If not for the fact that I don't have the slightest idea of where you are, I'd have already strangled

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

are you? Send us your coordinates, we'll send someone to pick

me a

room with the aid of a small

hand to stare at the communication device, I asked, "Did

Ah, yes,

something else

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

don't need anything else, just stay

brief pause ensued. After a couple of seconds, in a

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

everything myself

total of three hours. This was clearly

someone should come to pick you up. Once

eyes stinging slightly from the lack of

see you soon.

"Mhm…you too."

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

***

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

happened, once Gervis, alongside the others, returned and announced the end of

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

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

suffering, had also strengthened the bonds of those

Henolur, on a round

dampening system you encountered a duergan lady,

figures spoke up in shock, his body

with her? Have you told the others about her…? Or, do only you guys know?" The hooded figure asked, his tone

present back then since we had another dwarf escort us to the location you sent us. That's also where

The hooded figure asked. His serious tone made the atmosphere on the

she was S ranked. Her injuries were

on his face. He lifted his face slightly, revealing the

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

was probably Durara,

slightly, but he was able

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

we're not that

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

is she?"

responded, taking a small sip of

raised a little before

Ren had a thoughtful

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

are you thinking so hard

asked, raising his head, a sly smile appearing

smile, Smallsnake raised his hands and shook them

it! Whatever you're planning, I'm

Ren asked, his smile only

you? What

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

hand and pointing it in the direction of Ren's

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