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?

incredulity. As though he couldn't quite comprehend what I just

to confirm my previous words, even though he

I said. I

—Y…you…

the right words to say, Waylan fumbled

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

was just taking a small nap, I don't think that warrants getting

are you? Send us

give me a

my head and checking the coordinates of the room with the aid of

the message, lowering my hand to stare at

Ah, yes, I've

Need something

the side of the wall, I once again slid

else, just stay

a couple of

not been for your help, the war

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

a total of three hours. This was clearly

to pick you up. Once they

eyes stinging slightly

see you soon. Great

"Mhm…you too."

said before turning off the communication device, and my eyelids slowly came to a

***

took place on the outer walls of

Gervis, alongside the others, returned and announced the end of the war, everyone in the city

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

filled with dwarves, orcs, and even

the bonds of those who participated in it. They

on

that on your way to the dampening system you encountered a duergan

spoke up in shock, his body

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

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 condition seemed quite critical. She looked to be on the verge of death

The hooded figure asked. His

I don't recall wrongly, she was S ranked. Her injuries were quite

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

with his members of

talking about was probably Durara, the one

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

glance at the others 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

worry, we're not

as Leopold and the

is she?" Ren

the dwarves," Hein responded, taking a small

locked up?" Ren's brow raised a little before he leaned back

chin, Ren had a thoughtful look on

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

you thinking so

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

smile, Smallsnake raised

Whatever you're planning, I'm totally

Ren asked,

you? What are you

Leopold and Hein, grew confused at Smallsnake's

the direction of Ren's face,

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