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

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

that's exactly what I said.

—Y…you…

to say, Waylan fumbled before eventually giving up, letting

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

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 you

give me a

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

to stare at the communication

a moment… Ah, yes, I've

something else from

I once again slid down and propped my hand

anything else,

a couple of seconds, in a low whisper, Waylan

work. Had it not been for your help, the

everything myself anyway." I

I had only slept for a total of three hours. This was

pick you up. Once

my eyes stinging

you soon.

"Mhm…you too."

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

***

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

what had happened, once Gervis, alongside the others, returned and announced the end of the war, everyone in the city rejoiced as the citizens and

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

and

was clear that the war, although brought great suffering, had also strengthened the bonds of those who participated in it.

of a particular tavern in Henolur, on a round

the dampening system you encountered a duergan

of the hooded figures spoke up in shock, his body

Or, do only you

That's also where

the Duergar's rank?" The hooded figure asked. His serious tone made the atmosphere on

I don't recall wrongly, she was

lifted his face slightly, revealing the features of a young man with pale blue eyes

of Caïssa: Ava, Hein, Leopold, Smallsnake,

was

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

dangerous. You must be extremely careful around her. In

worry, we're not that

looks of things, his worries were unnecessary as Leopold and the others

she?"

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

little before he leaned back on his

a thoughtful look on his

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

thinking so hard about? You can't

what?" Ren asked, raising his head, a

raised

I'm against it! Whatever

Ren asked,

What are you

to be more precise, Leopold and Hein, grew confused at Smallsnake's

it in the

I've seen it plenty of times. Whenever he smiles like that, you should know that nothing