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

guy that I was, I nodded to confirm

I

—Y…you…

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

what should I do with you? If not for the fact that I don't have the slightest idea

I was just taking a small nap,

you? Send

give me

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

I sent the message, lowering my hand to stare at the communication device, I asked, "Did

moment… Ah, yes, I've got

Need something else from

of the wall, I once again

anything else, just

ensued. After a couple of

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

problem. Not like I did everything myself anyway." I tiredly

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

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

replied, my eyes stinging slightly

you soon. Great

"Mhm…you too."

said before turning off the communication device, and

***

on the outer walls of Henolur came

alongside the others, returned and announced the end of the war, everyone in the city rejoiced as the citizens and warriors alike

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

with dwarves, orcs, and even elves as they happily

brought great suffering, had also strengthened the bonds of those who participated in it. They all

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

the dampening system you

spoke up in shock, his

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

back 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

hooded figure asked. His serious tone made

wrongly, she was S

The hooded figure muttered with a complex frown on his face. He lifted his face slightly, revealing

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

were talking about was probably Durara, the one

of information, Ren's face paled slightly, but he was

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

we're not that

worries were unnecessary as Leopold and the others gave him confirmation

is she?"

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

a little before he leaned back on his

Ren had a thoughtful look

what he was thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth,

so hard about?

asked, raising his head,

smile, Smallsnake raised his hands and shook them in

No, I'm against it! Whatever you're planning, I'm totally against

Smallsnake?" Ren asked, his

you? What

Leopold and Hein, grew confused at

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

Whenever he smiles like that, you should know that nothing good will come. Trust me,