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?

though he couldn't quite

nodded to confirm

what I said. I took a

—Y…you…

to say, Waylan fumbled

should 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

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

what? I give up. Where are you? Send us your

give me a

checking the coordinates of the room with the aid of a small device, I quickly

the message, lowering my hand to stare at the communication device, I

Ah, yes,

something else

I once again slid down and propped my hand

anything else, just stay

couple of seconds, in a low

your hard work. Had it not been for your

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

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

replied, my eyes stinging slightly from

see you

"Mhm…you too."

the last words I said before turning off the communication device, and my eyelids

***

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

Gervis, alongside the others, returned and announced the end of the war,

concern was the fact that the demons had still not fully retreated, but they had stopped attacking

dwarves, orcs, and even elves as they

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

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

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

the hooded figures spoke up in shock,

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

weren't the only ones present back then since we had another dwarf escort us to the location you sent us. That's also where we met her… But her

asked. His serious tone made the atmosphere on the table

wrongly, she was S ranked.

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

currently seated with his members of Caïssa: Ava, Hein,

was probably Durara, the

that piece of information, Ren's face paled slightly, but he

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

worry, we're not that

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

she?"

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

raised a little before he leaned back

had a thoughtful look on his

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

you thinking so

what?" Ren asked, raising his head, a sly smile

familiar with the smile, Smallsnake raised his hands and shook them

it! Whatever

Ren asked, his smile

with you? What

to be more precise, Leopold

in the direction

plenty of times. Whenever he smiles like that, you should know that nothing