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?

filled with incredulity. As though he couldn't quite comprehend what

was, I nodded to confirm my previous words, even though he couldn't see

what I said. I took

—Y…you…

to say, Waylan fumbled before

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

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

know what? I give up. Where are you? Send

give me

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

I sent the message, lowering my hand to stare at the communication device, I asked, "Did

moment… Ah,

something

once again slid down and

anything else, just stay out

of seconds, in

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

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

time, I realized that I had only slept for a total of three hours. This

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

eyes stinging slightly from the lack of

you

"Mhm…you too."

the communication device, and my eyelids

***

the events of Inferno, the raging war that took place on the outer walls of Henolur came to a halt as the demons stopped their

the end of the war, everyone in the city rejoiced as the citizens and warriors

that the demons had still not fully retreated, but they had stopped attacking and even showed signs of giving up did not go

dwarves, orcs, and even elves as they

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

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

dampening system you encountered a duergan lady,

of the hooded figures spoke up in shock, his body trembling

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

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

figure asked. His serious tone made the atmosphere on the table

recall wrongly, she was S ranked. Her

complex frown on his face. He lifted his face slightly, revealing the

with his members of Caïssa: Ava, Hein, Leopold,

was probably Durara, the one who

paled slightly, but he was able to recompose

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

worry, we're not

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

she?"

Hein responded, taking a small sip of the ale in front

up?" Ren's brow raised a little

a thoughtful look

he was thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to ask

you thinking so

Ren asked, raising his head, a sly

with the smile, Smallsnake raised his hands and shook them

Whatever you're planning, I'm

Smallsnake?" Ren asked, his smile only

up with you? What are you

more precise, Leopold and Hein, grew confused at Smallsnake's

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

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