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 quite comprehend what

I nodded to

what I said. I

—Y…you…

to say, Waylan fumbled before

don't have the slightest idea of where you are, I'd

no? I was just taking a

are you? Send us

me

the room with the aid of a small device, I quickly

to stare at

Ah, yes, I've

something else

side of the wall, I once again slid down

else,

couple of seconds, in a low whisper, Waylan

thank you for your hard work. Had it not been

Not like I did everything myself anyway." I

checking the time, I realized that I had only slept for a total of three hours. This was clearly not

up now. Soon enough, someone should come to pick you

replied, my eyes stinging slightly from the lack

see you soon.

"Mhm…you too."

off the communication device, and my eyelids slowly

***

place on the outer walls of Henolur came to a halt as the demons

the others, returned and announced the end of the war, everyone in the city rejoiced as the

not fully retreated, but they had stopped attacking and even

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

the war, although brought great suffering, had also strengthened the bonds of those who participated in it. They all held each other

Henolur, on a round table, were six hooded

that on your way to the dampening system you encountered a duergan lady, and she's still

of the hooded figures spoke up in shock, his body trembling

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

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

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

I don't recall wrongly, she was S

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

members of Caïssa: Ava, Hein, Leopold,

about was probably Durara, the

paled slightly, but he was able to recompose himself quite

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

we're not

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

she?" Ren

dwarves," Hein responded, taking a small sip of the

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

chin, Ren had a thoughtful

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

so hard about? You can't

his head,

with the smile, Smallsnake raised his

against it! Whatever you're planning, I'm totally

asked, his

you? What are you

more precise, Leopold and Hein, grew confused

it in the direction of Ren's face,

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