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

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

that's exactly what I said. I took

—Y…you…

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

I don't have the

was just taking a small nap, I don't think that warrants getting strangled

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

me

coordinates of the room with the aid of a small

hand to stare at the communication device,

a moment… Ah, yes,

Need something else from

again slid down and propped my

don't need anything else, just stay out

brief pause ensued. After a couple of seconds,

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

myself anyway." I tiredly said, closing my

that I had only slept for a total of three hours.

up now. Soon enough, someone should come to pick you up. Once they knock on the door, open

stinging slightly from the lack

you soon.

"Mhm…you too."

last words I said before turning off the communication

***

Inferno, the raging war that took 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

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

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

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

particular tavern in Henolur, on a round table, were six hooded

dampening system you

figures spoke up in shock,

do only you guys know?" The hooded figure asked, his tone containing a great depth

That's also where we met her… But her condition seemed quite critical. She looked to be

figure asked. His serious tone made the atmosphere

don't recall wrongly, she was S

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

currently seated with his members of Caïssa:

they were talking about was probably Durara, the one who killed

face paled slightly, but he was

"She's extremely dangerous. You must be extremely careful around her.

we're not that

unnecessary as Leopold and the others gave

is she?"

taking

locked up?" Ren's brow raised a little before he

his chin, Ren had a

Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to

are you thinking so hard about?

asked, raising his head, a sly smile appearing

Smallsnake raised

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

wrong, Smallsnake?" Ren asked, his smile only

with you? What are

more precise, Leopold

hand and pointing it in the direction of

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