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?

filled with incredulity. As though he couldn't quite

good guy that I was, I nodded to confirm my previous words, even though he

what I said.

—Y…you…

to say, Waylan fumbled before eventually giving up,

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

taking a small nap,

what? I give up. Where are you? Send us your coordinates, we'll

me

the aid of a small device, I quickly sent Waylan the location of the

hand to stare

moment… Ah, yes, I've got

something else from

once again slid down and propped my hand

anything else, just

of seconds, in

not been

did everything myself anyway."

of three hours. This

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

eyes stinging slightly from the lack

see you

"Mhm…you too."

I said before turning off the communication device, and my

***

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

had happened, once Gervis, alongside the others, returned and announced the end of the war, everyone in

that the demons had still not fully retreated, but they had stopped attacking and even showed signs of giving up did not go unnoticed by the dwarves, who

and even

also strengthened the bonds of those who participated

of a particular tavern in Henolur, on a

that on your way to the dampening

figures spoke up

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

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 verge of death when we met

the Duergar's rank?" The hooded figure asked. His serious tone made the atmosphere on

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

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

currently seated with his members of Caïssa: Ava,

about was probably Durara, the

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

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

worry, we're

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

she?" Ren

to the dwarves," Hein responded, taking a

little before he leaned back on

had a thoughtful look

thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to ask

you thinking so hard about? You can't

his head, a sly smile appearing on

familiar with the smile, Smallsnake raised his hands and shook

I'm against it! Whatever

wrong, Smallsnake?" Ren asked, his smile only

with you? What

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

pointing it in the direction of Ren's

Whenever he smiles like that, you should know that