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 couldn't quite comprehend

to confirm my previous words,

exactly what I said.

—Y…you…

find the right words to say, Waylan fumbled before eventually giving up, letting out a long, exhausted

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

a small nap, I don't think that

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

me

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

to stare at the communication device, I asked, "Did you

Ah,

Need something else from

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

don't need anything else, just stay out of

couple of seconds, in a low

work. Had it not been for your help, the war would've never been

myself anyway." I tiredly said, closing my

of three hours. This was clearly not enough as my

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

my eyes stinging

you soon. Great

"Mhm…you too."

said before turning off the communication device, and my eyelids

***

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

Gervis, alongside the others, returned and announced the end of the war, everyone in the city rejoiced as the citizens and warriors alike basked in

stopped attacking and even showed signs of

and taverns were filled with dwarves, orcs, and even elves as

although brought great suffering, had also strengthened the bonds of those who participated in it.

on a round

you're saying that on your way to the dampening system you

hooded figures spoke up in shock, his body trembling

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

you sent us. That's also where we met her… But her condition seemed quite critical. She looked

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

wrongly, she was S ranked. Her

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

of

were talking about was probably Durara, the one

piece of information, Ren's face paled slightly,

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

we're

were unnecessary as Leopold and the others gave him confirmation

she?"

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

raised a little before

his chin, Ren had a thoughtful look on

what he was thinking, Smallsnake opened his

thinking so hard

what?" Ren asked, raising his head, a sly smile appearing on

the smile, Smallsnake raised his hands

it! Whatever you're

wrong, Smallsnake?" Ren asked,

What

to be more precise, Leopold

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

like that, you should know that nothing good will come. Trust me, I've experienced it too many times for you to