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?

voice was filled with incredulity. As though he couldn't quite comprehend what

good guy that I was, I nodded to confirm my previous words, even though he

I said. I

—Y…you…

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

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

bit harsh, no? I was just taking a small nap,

know what? I give up. Where are you? Send us your coordinates, we'll send someone to pick you

give me a

coordinates of the room with the aid of a small device,

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

a moment… Ah, yes, I've

Need something else

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

need anything else, just stay

ensued. After a couple of seconds, in a low whisper,

Had it not

like I did everything myself anyway." I

time, I realized that I had only slept for a total of

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

eyes stinging slightly from

you soon.

"Mhm…you too."

I said before turning off the communication device,

***

on the outer walls of Henolur came to a halt as the demons

the end of the war, everyone in the

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

with dwarves, orcs, and even elves as they happily chatted amongst each

had also strengthened the bonds of those who participated in it.

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

way to the dampening system you encountered a duergan lady,

the hooded figures spoke up in shock, his

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

had another dwarf escort us to the location you sent us. That's also where we met

figure asked. His serious tone made the

don't recall wrongly, she was S ranked. Her

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

seated with his members of Caïssa: Ava,

duergar they were talking about was probably Durara, the one

Ren's face paled slightly, but he was able to recompose

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

we're not that

worries were unnecessary as Leopold and the others gave him

is she?" Ren

responded, taking a small sip of the

brow raised a little before he

chin, Ren had a thoughtful look on his

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

so hard

be what?" Ren asked, raising his head,

Smallsnake raised his hands and shook

Whatever you're planning, I'm

asked, his smile only

What are you

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

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

you should know that nothing good will come. Trust me, I've experienced it too