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?

voice was filled with incredulity. As though he

that I was, I nodded to confirm my previous words,

that's exactly what I said. I took a

—Y…you…

words to say, Waylan fumbled before eventually giving up, letting out a long,

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

no? I was just taking a small

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

me a

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

sent the message, lowering my hand to stare at the communication device, I asked, "Did you

Ah, yes,

something

against the side of the wall, I once again slid down and propped my hand over my

don't need anything else, just

ensued. After a couple of

it not been for your help, the war would've

like I did everything myself anyway." I tiredly

for a total of three hours. This was clearly not enough as

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

I replied, my eyes stinging slightly

see you soon.

"Mhm…you too."

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 the demons stopped their

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

stopped attacking and even showed signs of giving

and taverns were filled 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 in

in Henolur, on a round table, were six hooded figures in

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

spoke up in

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

to the location you sent us. That's also where we met

hooded figure asked. His serious

was S

complex frown on his face. He lifted his face slightly, revealing

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

they were talking about was probably Durara,

face paled slightly, but he was able to recompose himself

to glance at the others on the table, Ren carefully worded his reply, "She's extremely dangerous. You must be

worry, we're not that

as Leopold and the others gave him

is she?" Ren

the dwarves," Hein responded, taking a

little before he

chin, Ren had a thoughtful look on

thinking, Smallsnake opened his

so hard about? You

his head, a sly smile

raised his

Whatever you're planning,

Smallsnake?" Ren asked, his

What are you

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

and pointing it in the

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