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

that I was, I nodded to

what I said. I took

—Y…you…

fumbled before eventually giving up, letting out a

I don't have the slightest idea of where

just taking a small nap, I don't think

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

give me

the coordinates of the room with the aid of a small

my hand to stare at the communication device, I

moment… Ah,

Need something else

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

need anything else, just stay out of

brief pause ensued. After a couple of seconds, in a low whisper, Waylan

work. Had it not

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

the time, I realized that I had only slept for a total of three hours. This

enough, someone should come to pick you up. Once

stinging slightly

you

"Mhm…you too."

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

***

events of Inferno, the raging war that took place on the outer walls of Henolur

the others, returned and announced the end of the war, everyone in the

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

bars and taverns were filled with dwarves, orcs, and even elves as they

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

inside of a particular tavern in Henolur, on a round table, were

on your way to the dampening

figures spoke up in shock,

you done with her? Have you told the others about her…? Or, do only you guys know?" The hooded figure asked, his

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

hooded figure asked. His serious

wrongly, she was S ranked.

his face slightly, revealing the features of a young man with pale blue

his members of

they were talking about was probably

face paled slightly,

"She's extremely dangerous. You must be extremely careful around her. In

worry, we're not that

worries were unnecessary as Leopold and the others gave him confirmation that they had indeed

she?" Ren

thanks to the dwarves," Hein responded, taking a

Ren's brow raised a little before he leaned back

his chin, Ren had a thoughtful look on

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

so hard

raising his head, a sly

Smallsnake raised his hands

against it! Whatever you're planning,

asked, his

up with you? What

or to be more precise, Leopold and Hein, grew confused at

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

he smiles like that, you should know that nothing