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?

with incredulity. As though he couldn't quite

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

exactly what I said. I

—Y…you…

the right words to say, Waylan fumbled before eventually giving up, letting

don't have the slightest idea

I was just taking a small

what? I give up. Where are you? Send us your

give me a

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

to stare at the communication device, I asked,

moment… Ah, yes, I've

Need something else from

side of the wall, I once again slid down and

don't need anything else, just stay out of

After a couple of seconds, in a low whisper,

you for your hard work. Had it not been for your help, the war

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

realized that I had only slept for a total of three

to pick you up.

replied, my eyes stinging slightly from the

see you

"Mhm…you too."

the communication

***

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

end of the war,

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

and even elves as they happily chatted

the bonds of those who participated in it. They all held each other in high

particular tavern in Henolur, on a

on your way to the dampening system you encountered

of the hooded figures spoke up

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

back 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

The hooded figure asked. His serious tone

she was S

He lifted his face slightly, revealing the features of a young

currently seated with his members of Caïssa: Ava, Hein, Leopold, Smallsnake,

they were talking about was probably Durara, the one

that piece of information, Ren's face paled slightly, but he

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

worry, we're not that

from the looks of things, his worries were unnecessary as Leopold and the

she?" Ren

responded, taking a small sip of the ale in

little before he leaned back

Ren had a thoughtful

was thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth,

are you thinking so

raising his head, a

smile, Smallsnake raised his hands

it! Whatever you're planning, I'm

Smallsnake?" Ren asked, his smile only

with you? What are you

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

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

see that smirk over there? No? Well, I've seen it plenty of times. Whenever he smiles like that, you should know that nothing good will come. Trust me, I've experienced it too many