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

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

what I said. I

—Y…you…

to find the right words to say, Waylan fumbled before

not for the fact that I don't have the

was just taking a small

I give up. Where are you? Send us your

me a

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

to stare at the communication device,

moment… Ah, yes, I've

something else

again slid down and propped my hand

need anything else,

brief pause ensued. After a couple of seconds, in a low

hard work. Had it not

I did everything myself

total of three hours. This was

enough, someone should come to pick

stinging slightly from

you soon. Great

"Mhm…you too."

words I said before turning off the communication device, and my eyelids slowly came

***

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

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

retreated, but they had stopped attacking

and taverns were filled with dwarves, orcs, and even elves as they happily chatted

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

particular tavern in Henolur, on a round table,

on your way to the dampening system you encountered a duergan lady,

hooded figures spoke up in shock, his body trembling

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

the only ones present 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

figure asked. His serious tone made

she was S ranked.

face slightly, revealing the features of a young man with pale blue

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

was probably Durara, the one who

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

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

we're not that

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

she?"

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

little before he leaned

chin, Ren had a thoughtful look

as to what he was thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to

you thinking so hard

what?" Ren asked, raising his head, a

with the smile, Smallsnake raised his hands and shook

Whatever you're planning, I'm

asked, his smile

with you? What are you talking

Leopold and Hein, grew

the direction of Ren's

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