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 I just

that I was, I nodded to confirm my previous words, even

exactly what I said.

—Y…you…

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

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

taking a small nap,

you? Send us your coordinates, we'll

give me a

my head and checking the coordinates of the room with the aid of a small device, I quickly sent Waylan the location of the

message, lowering my hand to stare

moment… Ah,

Need something else

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

need anything else, just stay

After a couple of seconds, in a

thank you for your hard work. Had it not been

problem. Not like I did everything myself anyway." I tiredly said, closing my

only slept for a total of

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

my eyes stinging

see you soon. Great

"Mhm…you too."

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

***

on the outer walls of Henolur came to a

once Gervis, 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

orcs, and even

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

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

dampening system

the hooded figures spoke up in

about her…? Or, do only you

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 when

asked. His serious tone

wrongly, she was S

slightly, revealing the features of a young

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

were talking about was probably Durara, the one who killed

Ren's face paled slightly,

to glance at the others on the table, Ren carefully worded his reply, "She's extremely dangerous.

we're not that

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

is she?"

up, thanks to the dwarves," Hein responded, taking a

raised a little before he leaned back on

chin, Ren had a thoughtful look

opened his mouth, deciding

thinking so

asked, raising his head,

familiar with the smile, Smallsnake raised his hands

Whatever you're planning, I'm

wrong, Smallsnake?" Ren asked,

you? What

Leopold

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

over there? No? Well, I've seen it plenty of times. Whenever he smiles like that, you