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?

though he couldn't

good guy that I was, I nodded to confirm

that's exactly what I said. I took

—Y…you…

fumbled before eventually giving up, letting out a long, exhausted

do with you? If not for the fact that I don't have

a small nap, I don't think that

give up. Where are you? Send us

give me a

the coordinates of the room with the aid of a small device,

lowering my hand to stare at

moment… Ah, yes,

Need something else

once again slid down and propped

don't need anything else, just stay out

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

not been for

I did everything myself anyway." I tiredly said, closing my

the time, I realized that I had only slept for a total of three hours.

come to pick you up. Once they knock

replied, my eyes stinging slightly

see you soon.

"Mhm…you too."

said before turning off the communication device, and my

***

the outer walls of

happened, once Gervis, alongside the others, returned and announced the end of the war, everyone in the city rejoiced as the

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

and even elves

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

in Henolur, on a round

that on your way to the dampening system you encountered a

hooded figures spoke up in shock, his body trembling

about her…? Or, do only you guys know?" The hooded figure asked, his tone containing

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

rank?" The hooded figure asked. His serious tone made the atmosphere on the table turn

wrongly, she was

face slightly, revealing the features of a young man with pale blue eyes resembling the ocean.

members of Caïssa:

talking about was probably Durara, the

slightly, but he was

table, Ren carefully worded his reply, "She's extremely dangerous.

we're not that

as Leopold and

is she?"

locked up, thanks to the dwarves," Hein responded, taking a small sip

Ren's brow raised a little before he leaned back on

his chin, Ren had a thoughtful look on his

thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to

you thinking so

his head, a sly

Smallsnake raised his

I'm against it! Whatever you're

wrong, Smallsnake?" Ren asked, his

with you? What are

more precise, Leopold and Hein, grew confused

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

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