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?

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

nodded to confirm my previous words,

I said. I took

—Y…you…

right words to say, Waylan fumbled before eventually giving up,

I do with you? If not for the fact that I don't have the slightest idea

bit harsh, no? I was just taking a

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

give me

with the aid of a small device, I

the message, lowering my hand to stare

moment… Ah, yes, I've got

something else

side of the wall, I once again

need anything else, just stay out of

After a couple of seconds, in

work. Had it not been for your help,

problem. Not like I did everything myself

that I had only slept for a total of three hours. This was clearly not

come to pick you up. Once they knock on

my eyes stinging slightly from the

see you

"Mhm…you too."

were the last words I said before turning off the communication device, and my eyelids slowly came to a

***

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

the end of the war, everyone in the city rejoiced as the citizens and warriors alike basked in a

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

filled with dwarves, orcs, and even elves as they happily chatted

was clear that the war, although brought great suffering, had also strengthened the bonds of those who participated in it. They all held each other in high

in Henolur, on a round table,

the dampening system you encountered a duergan lady, and

figures spoke up in shock,

done with her? Have you told the others about her…? Or, do only you guys know?" The hooded figure asked, his tone containing a great depth of

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 we met

asked. His serious tone made the atmosphere on

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

a complex frown on his face. He lifted his face slightly, revealing the features of a

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

talking about was probably Durara, the one who killed

paled slightly, but

dangerous. You must be extremely careful around her. In

we're

of things, his worries were unnecessary as Leopold and the others gave him confirmation that they had indeed

she?" Ren

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

locked up?" Ren's brow raised a little

his chin, Ren had a thoughtful look on his

he was thinking, Smallsnake opened his mouth, deciding to

so hard about? You

asked, raising his head,

too familiar with the smile, Smallsnake raised his hands

No, I'm against it! Whatever

wrong, Smallsnake?" Ren asked, his smile

up with you? What are you

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

it in the direction

over there? No? Well, I've seen it plenty of times. Whenever he smiles like that, you should know that nothing good will