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?

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

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

that's exactly what I

—Y…you…

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

I don't have the slightest

bit harsh, no? I was just taking a small nap, I don't think

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

give me

coordinates of the room with the aid of a small

I sent the message, lowering my hand to stare

Ah, yes, I've

Need something else

the side of the wall, I once again slid down and

anything else, just stay out

pause ensued. After a couple of

for your hard work. Had it not

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

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

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

stinging slightly from the

see you soon.

"Mhm…you too."

off the

***

place on the outer walls of Henolur came to a halt as

end of the war, everyone

had stopped attacking and even showed signs of giving up did not go

filled with dwarves, orcs, and even elves as they happily

although brought great suffering, had also strengthened the bonds of

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

on your way to the dampening system you encountered a duergan lady, and she's still

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

with her? Have you told the others about her…? Or, do only

the location you sent us. That's also where

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

recall wrongly, she was S ranked. Her injuries were quite

see…" The hooded figure muttered with a complex frown on his face. He lifted his face slightly, revealing the features of a young man with pale

with his members of

were talking about was probably

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

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

worry, we're not that

were unnecessary as Leopold and the others gave him confirmation that they had indeed sealed her

is she?"

to the dwarves," Hein responded, taking a small

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

had a thoughtful look

to what he was thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to ask directly. He had

you thinking so hard about?

asked, raising his head,

too familiar with the smile, Smallsnake raised

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

Smallsnake?" Ren asked, his smile

up with you? What are you

be more precise, Leopold and Hein, grew

his hand and pointing it in the direction of

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