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?

though he

I was, I nodded to confirm my previous

that's exactly what I said. I took

—Y…you…

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

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

a small nap, I

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

me a

aid of a small device, I quickly sent Waylan the location of the

I sent the message, lowering my hand to stare at the communication device, I asked,

moment… Ah, yes, I've got

something else from

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

need anything else, just stay out of

a couple of seconds, in a low

hard work. Had it not been for your help, the war would've

did everything myself anyway." I

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

to pick you up.

I replied, my eyes stinging slightly from the lack

see you soon. Great

"Mhm…you too."

off the communication device, and my eyelids slowly came to

***

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

not many knew what had happened, once Gervis, alongside the others, returned and announced the end of the war, everyone in the city rejoiced as the citizens and warriors alike basked in a joyous

not fully retreated, but they had stopped

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

that the war, although brought great suffering, had also strengthened the bonds of those who participated in it. They

in Henolur, on a round table, were six hooded

to the dampening system you

up in shock, his

Or, do only you guys know?" The hooded figure asked, his tone containing a great depth

That's also where we met her… But her condition seemed

figure asked. His serious

don't recall wrongly, she was S

slightly, revealing the features of a young man

was currently seated with his members of Caïssa:

duergar they were talking about was probably Durara, the one who

Ren's face paled slightly, but he

on the table, Ren carefully worded his reply, "She's extremely dangerous. You must

worry, we're not

things, his worries were unnecessary as Leopold and the others gave

is she?" Ren

responded, taking a small sip of the

brow raised a little before he leaned

a

opened his mouth, deciding to ask directly. He had an ominous

so hard about? You

raising his head, a sly smile appearing on his

raised his hands and shook

against it! Whatever

wrong, Smallsnake?" Ren asked,

you? What are you

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

in the direction of Ren's face,

it plenty of times. Whenever he smiles like that, you should know that nothing good will come. Trust