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?

was filled with incredulity. As though he couldn't

that I was, I nodded to confirm my previous words, even though he couldn't see

what I said.

—Y…you…

fumbled before eventually

If not for the fact that I don't have the slightest idea of

taking a small nap, I don't think that warrants getting strangled

you? Send us your coordinates,

give me

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

to stare

moment… Ah,

something

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

anything else,

couple of seconds, in a low whisper,

work. Had it not been

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

I realized that I had only slept for a total of three hours. This was clearly not enough as my mind was still

Soon enough, someone should come to pick you up.

my eyes stinging slightly from the

you

"Mhm…you too."

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

***

walls of Henolur came to a halt as

announced the end of the war, everyone in the

of concern was the fact that the demons had still not fully retreated, but they had stopped attacking and even showed signs of giving up did not

bars and 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

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

that on your way to the dampening system you encountered a

the hooded figures spoke up in shock, his body trembling

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

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

rank?" The hooded figure asked. His

she was S

on his face. He lifted his face slightly, revealing

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

they were talking about was probably Durara, the one

Ren's face paled slightly, but he was able to recompose himself quite

glance at the others on the table, Ren carefully worded his reply, "She's extremely dangerous. You must be extremely careful around her. In fact, have you even restrained her

we're

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

is she?" Ren

dwarves," Hein responded, taking a small sip of

raised a little before he

chin, Ren had a thoughtful look on

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

you thinking so

head,

raised his hands

against it! Whatever

Ren asked, his smile

with you? What are you talking

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

in the direction of Ren's face,

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