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?

filled with incredulity. As though he couldn't

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

that's exactly what I

—Y…you…

words to say, Waylan fumbled

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

no? I was just taking a small nap, I don't

Where are you? Send us your coordinates, we'll

me a

of the room with the aid of a small

stare at the communication device, I asked, "Did

a moment… Ah, yes,

Need something else from

the side of the wall, I once again slid down and propped my

else,

After a couple of seconds, in a low whisper,

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

I did everything myself anyway." I tiredly said,

a total of three hours. This was clearly

pick you up. Once they knock on the door, open

stinging slightly from the

you

"Mhm…you too."

turning off the communication

***

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

of the

but they had stopped attacking and even showed

with dwarves, orcs, and even elves as they

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

particular tavern in Henolur, on a round table,

you're saying that on your way to the dampening system you encountered a

the hooded figures spoke up in shock, his body

with her? Have you told the others about her…? Or, do only you

to the location you sent us. That's also where we met her… But her condition seemed quite critical. She looked to be

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

she was S

see…" The hooded figure muttered with a complex frown on his face. He lifted his face slightly, revealing the features of a young man with pale

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

was probably Durara, the one

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

reply, "She's extremely dangerous. You must be extremely careful around her. In fact, have you even

we're not

his worries were unnecessary as Leopold and

is she?"

the dwarves," Hein responded, taking a small sip

Ren's brow raised a little before he leaned

Ren had a

thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth,

so

head,

Smallsnake raised his hands and

Whatever you're planning,

wrong, Smallsnake?" Ren asked, his smile only

up with you? What are

others, or to be more precise, Leopold and Hein,

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

smiles like that, you should know that nothing good will come.