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

good guy that I was, I nodded to confirm my previous

I said. I took

—Y…you…

say, Waylan fumbled before eventually giving up, letting out a long,

If not for the fact that I don't have the slightest idea

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

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

me a

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

stare at the communication device,

moment… Ah, yes, I've

Need something else

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

need anything else, just stay out

couple of seconds, in a low

you for your hard work. Had it not been for your help, the war would've never been

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

that I had only slept for a total of three hours. This was clearly not enough as my

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

replied, my eyes stinging slightly from

you soon.

"Mhm…you too."

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

***

outer walls

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

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

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

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

Henolur, on a round table,

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

figures spoke up

have you done with her? Have you told the others about her…? Or, do only you guys know?" The hooded figure

then since we had another dwarf 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 Duergar's rank?" The hooded figure asked. His serious tone made the atmosphere on the table

wrongly, she was S ranked.

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

currently seated with his members of

were talking about was probably Durara, the

information, Ren's face paled slightly, but he

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

we're not that

worries were unnecessary as Leopold and

she?"

currently locked up, thanks to the dwarves," Hein responded, taking a small sip of the ale in

brow raised a little before he

had a thoughtful look on

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

you thinking so hard about?

asked, raising his head, a sly smile appearing

raised his

it! Whatever you're

asked, his smile

you? What are you

to be more precise, Leopold and

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

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