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?

As though he couldn't quite comprehend what

that I was, I nodded to

I

—Y…you…

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

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

a bit harsh, no? I was just taking a small nap, I

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

me a

head and checking the coordinates of the room with the aid of

lowering my hand to stare at

me a moment… Ah,

something else from

side of the wall, I once again

don't need anything else,

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

hard work. Had it not been for

everything myself anyway." I tiredly

the time, I realized that I had only slept for a total of three hours. This was clearly not enough as my mind was still quite

come to pick you

I replied, my eyes stinging slightly from

you soon.

"Mhm…you too."

were the last words I said before turning off the communication device, and my eyelids slowly came to a

***

outer walls of Henolur came

knew what had happened, once Gervis, alongside the others, returned and announced the end of

retreated, but they had stopped attacking and even showed signs of giving up

with dwarves, orcs, and

great suffering, had also strengthened the bonds of those who participated in it. They all held each

of a particular tavern in Henolur, on a round table,

on your way to the dampening

spoke up in shock,

about her…? Or, do only you guys know?"

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

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

wrongly, she was S ranked. Her injuries were quite

on his face. He lifted his face slightly, revealing the features of a young man with pale blue eyes

his members of Caïssa: Ava, Hein,

about was probably Durara, the one

information, Ren's face paled slightly, but he

on the table, Ren carefully worded his reply, "She's extremely dangerous. You must be extremely careful around

we're not that

unnecessary as Leopold and the

is she?" Ren

Hein responded, taking a

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

Ren had a thoughtful look on his

was thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to ask

thinking so hard about? You can't

head, a sly smile

Smallsnake raised his hands and shook them

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

Ren asked, his smile

with you? What are you talking

be more precise, Leopold and Hein, grew

and pointing it in the direction of Ren's face,

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