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

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

exactly what I

—Y…you…

say, Waylan fumbled

with you? If not for the fact that I don't have the slightest idea of where you

a small

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

give me a

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

lowering my hand to stare

me a moment… Ah, yes, I've got

something else from

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

need anything else,

pause ensued. After a couple of seconds, in a

Had it not been for your help, the war would've never been

myself anyway." I tiredly said, closing my

only slept for a total of three hours. This was clearly not

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

stinging slightly from

you

"Mhm…you too."

the last words I said before turning off the communication device,

***

raging war that took place on the outer walls of

of

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

bars and taverns were filled with dwarves, orcs, and even elves as they happily chatted

was clear that the war, although brought 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,

your way to the dampening system you encountered a

spoke up in shock, his body

the others about her…? Or, do only you guys know?" The hooded figure asked, his tone containing a great depth

also where we met her… But her condition seemed quite critical. She looked to be on the verge of death

figure asked. His serious

she was S ranked.

his face slightly, revealing the features of a young man with pale blue eyes resembling the ocean.

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

were talking about was probably Durara, the

face paled slightly, but he was

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

worry, we're not

from the looks of things, his worries were unnecessary as Leopold and the others gave him confirmation that

is she?"

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

a little before he

chin, Ren had a thoughtful look

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

so hard about? You

head,

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

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

Ren asked,

up with you? What

precise, Leopold

in the

smiles like that, you should know that nothing good will come. Trust me, I've experienced it too many times for you to