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 quite comprehend

good guy that I was, I nodded to

what I said. I took a

—Y…you…

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 slightest idea of where you are, I'd have already strangled you

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

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

me a

and checking the coordinates of the room with the aid of

sent the message, lowering my hand to stare at the communication

me a moment… Ah, yes, I've got

Need something else from

the side of the wall, I once again slid down and propped my hand over

anything else, just stay

of seconds,

your hard work. Had it not been

Not like I did everything myself anyway."

total of three hours. This was clearly not

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

stinging

you

"Mhm…you too."

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

***

Inferno, the raging war that took place on the outer walls of Henolur

had happened, once Gervis, alongside the others, returned and announced the end of the war, everyone in the city rejoiced as the citizens and warriors alike basked in a joyous

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

dwarves, orcs, and even

strengthened the bonds of those who

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

dampening system you encountered a duergan lady, and she's still

hooded figures spoke up in shock, his body trembling

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

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 verge of death when we met

figure asked. His serious tone made the atmosphere on

was S ranked. Her

on his face. He lifted his face slightly, revealing the features of

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

about was

slightly,

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

we're not that

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

is she?"

dwarves," Hein responded, taking a small

Ren's brow raised a little before he leaned back

Ren had a thoughtful look on his

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

so hard about?

Ren asked, raising his head, a sly smile appearing on

with the smile, Smallsnake raised his

I'm against it! Whatever

Ren asked, his smile

you? What are you talking

be more precise, Leopold and Hein,

it in the direction

it plenty of times. Whenever he smiles like that, you should know that